Effects of estradiol and progesterone on parathyroid hormone secretion from human parathyroid tissue

Estrogens have been used to treat the hypercalcemia in primary hyperparathyroidism. Estrogens and progesterone both stimulate PTH secretion from bovine parathyroid tissue. The effects of these agents on PTH secretion from human parathyroid tissue are not known. In this study, we evaluated the effects of 17 beta-estradiol and progesterone on PTH secretion from abnormal parathyroid tissue from seven patients (four adenomas, three hyperplasia). Both estradiol (10(-9)-10(-6) mol/L) and progesterone (10(-7) and 10(-6) mol/L) significantly stimulated PTH secretion in a time- and dose-dependent manner during a 3-h period. These results indicate the need for a careful evaluation of serum PTH levels and other parameters of parathyroid function in estrogen- and/or progesterone-treated patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.