Abstract.
We performed a retrospective study of 237 patients attending a specialty osteoporosis practice. Secondary causes for reduced bone mineral density (BMD) were evaluated in 196 postmenopausal women and 41 premenopausal women; mean age was 56 ± 13.8 years (mean ± SD). BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) (QDR 1000W/2000 Hologic). Levels of intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), calcidiol [25(OH)D], thyroid-stimulating hormone, and 24-hour urinary calcium were measured, and serum and urine protein (SPEP and UPEP) electrophoresis were performed. Overall, 16% of our patients had 25(OH)D levels <15 ng/ml, the lowest acceptable vitamin D level without a concomitant rise in iPTH levels. Among the osteoporotic patients (T score <−2.5 SD), 17% had 25(OH)D levels <15 ng/ml and 7% <10 ng/ml. Among the osteopenic patients (−2.5 < T < −1.0 SD), 11% had 25(OH)D levels <15 ng/ml. Seventeen percent of patients with Z score ≤−1.0 SD (low range normal value) had 25(OH)D levels <15 ng/ml. Low 25(OH)D levels were inversely related to high iPTH values (r = 0.30, P < 0.0001). Hypercalciuria was present in 15% of our patients, elevations of PTH levels (>65 pg/ml, upper normal limit of assay) were present in 11.5%, and hyperthyroidism in 4%. A 25(OH)D level of <25 ng/ml in women (n = 86) with no known secondary causes of low BMD was associated with an iPTH level above 49 pg/ml. The measurement of 25(OH)D levels is recommended in the evaluation of secondary causes for reduced BMD. Supplementation with vitamin D appears needed to keep 25(OH)D above 25 ng/ml, the level required to prevent increments in iPTH levels.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received: 9 February 1998 / Accepted: 1 October 1998
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Haden, S., Fuleihan, G., Angell, J. et al. Calcidiol and PTH Levels in Women Attending an Osteoporosis Program. Calcif Tissue Int 64, 275–279 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002239900618
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002239900618