Osteomalacia and weakness from excessive antacid ingestion

A 60-year-old woman was evaluated for bone pain and incapacitating weakness. Initial laboratory studies showed a serum calcium level of 10.1 mg/dL, severe hypophosphatemia (1.1 mg/dL), and an elevated alkaline phosphatase level. X-ray films showed changes consistent with osteomalacia. Further studies revealed hypercalciuria (448 mg/24 hr) but absent urinary phosphorus. These data indicated phosphate malabsorption. Excessive use of an aluminum hydroxide-containing antacid was the cause of this patient's failure to absorb dietary phosphate. The features of this syndrome are reviewed to increase physicians' awareness of this illness, which occurs particularly in the elderly and is easily treated.