Military service and pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism: recognizing red flags for rare medical conditions

Pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism is a rare disorder characterized by normal serum parathyroid hormone, calcium, and phosphate and skeletal abnormalities (referred to as Albright's hereditary osteodystrophy) that include short stature, short digits, and heterotopic calcifications. Since each military recruit cannot be screened for every medical condition, unusual requests regarding fitness for duty might serve as red flags for rare medical conditions. This point is illustrated by the case history of an infantryman who served 22 years in the U.S. Marine Corps with pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism.