Suspected Deficient Activation of Vitamin D in Patients With Secondary Hyperparathyroidism

Vitamin D, an essential nutrient, is produced by the skin after sunlight shines on it. Vitamin D must then be activated by both the liver and the kidneys to perform its function of maintaining strong bones and helping to prevent heart disease, infection, diabetes and cancer. Reduced kidney activation of Vitamin D occurs with advanced age and with all kidney diseases. We have identified a small group of patients who appear to have reduced ability of the kidneys to activate vitamin D, even though they are young and do not have chronic kidney disease. In these patients, we are comparing the ability of their kidneys to activate Vitamin D to that of healthy controls. To stimulate the kidneys to activate Vitamin D, we are giving parathyroid hormone intravenously over 8 hours and collecting blood and urine at baseline, 4 and 8 hours. This type of parathyroid infusion does not cause side effects. The gene that controls this activation is also being studied (by a simple blood test) to look for abnormalities. We are now actively recruiting healthy controls for this study.

Inclusion criteria

• Caucasian female
• Age 40-59 years
• Serum creatinine < 1.3 and estimated glomerular filtration rate (GRF) > 60
• Serum calcium in the normal range (for U Md lab 8.6-10 mg/dl)
• Parathyroid hormone in the normal range (for U Md lab 12-54 pg/ml)
• Normal 25-hydroxyvitamin D level (30 ng/ml or higher)
• For women of childbearing age, non-pregnant (based on negative urine pregnancy test on the morning of the teriparatide infusion)

Exclusion criteria

• Non-caucasian
• Age under 40 and over 59 years
• Male
• Serum creatinine over 1.3 or estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) < 60
• Abnormal serum calcium (for U Md lab, below 8.6 or above 10 mg/dl)
• Abnormal parathyroid hormone (for U Md lab, above 65 or below 12 pg/ml)
• For women of childbearing age, non-pregnant (based on urine pregnancy test on the morning of the teriparatide infusion)
• History of bone radiation
• History of Paget disease of bone
• History of bone malignancy or metastases
• History of allergy or sensitivity to Forteo