Hyperparathyroidism in Paget's disease of bone

The association between Paget's disease and hyperparathyroidism was explored in 12 patients by means of a calcium loading test. Parathyroid adenomata were discovered at surgery in 2 and parathyroid hyperfunction was found in varying degrees in 4 others. Differing responses to the calcium loading test were interpreted as reflecting different stages in the bone formation-resorption disequilibrium found in Pagetic bone. A prolonged imbalance in favour of formation is suggested as constituting a stress on the homeostasis of extracellular fluid calcium levels that leads to parathyroid hyperfunction.