Serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels in smokers and non-smokers. The fifth Tromsø study

Smoking is associated with reduced bone density and calcium absorption, and reduced serum levels of vitamin D. A compensatory increase in serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) would therefore be expected as a result of an altered calcium balance. However, reports on PTH levels in smokers are conflicting. As serum PTH levels give important information on the calcium balance, the PTH levels in smokers are of interest.

In the fifth Tromsø study, smoking status was recorded and serum PTH measured in 7896 subjects. Intakes of calcium and vitamin D were evaluated with a food-frequency questionnaire. In a follow-up study on 205 subjects, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, calcium absorption, and renal excretion of calcium were measured in addition.

The serum PTH levels were significantly lower in smokers than non-smokers (3.1+/-1.4 vs 3.6+/-1.9 pmol/l in males; 3.1+/-1.5 vs 3.6+/-1.8 pmol/l in females (P < 0.001) after correcting for confounding variables, linear regression). In the smokers, there was no association between number of cigarettes smoked and serum PTH. One year after quitting smoking, serum PTH levels were similar to those of people who had never smoked. The smokers had significantly lower intake of vitamin D, lower serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and lower calcium absorption. The intake of calcium and the renal excretion of calcium were similar to that in non-smokers.

Smokers have lower serum PTH levels than non-smokers. This cannot be explained by the predictors of serum PTH measured in our study.