Treatment of hypoparathyroidism with 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol

Five patients with hypoparathyroidism (three post thyroidectomy and two idiopathic) were treated with synthetic 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1,25-(OH)2-D3) for up to 6 months. In each case daily oral administration of 1 microgram 1,25-(OH)2-D3, either alone or with additional calcium, raised ther serum calcium into the normal range. The serum phosphorus and the renal tubular reabsorption of phosphorus fell during treatment. None of these patients developed hypercalcaemia and no other complications of treatment have been recorded. 1,25-(OH)2D3 seems to represent a significant improvement over conventional methods for treating hypoparathyroidism.