Parathyroid Tetany Treated with Massive Doses of Vitamin D

Abstract

AN earlier report (1) indicated the success attendant upon replacement of dosages of dihydrotachysterol varying from 0.25 to 0.75 cc. (of Hytakerol solution) with 50,000 to 200,000 U.S.P. units of vitamin D in four cases of parathyroid tetany. Systematic observations have been continued on two of these patients, and on four more, making a group of six who have been studied. Four of these have been on such therapy for two or more years, the other two for one and one-half years and for seven months, respectively. Certain of the details involved are here reported as evidence for the dependability and safety of this type of treatment. The general plan has been to relax dietary restrictions previously considered necessary, thereby allowing the patient to use as much meat, egg and milk as desired in spite of the higher phosphorus intake involved. Calcium intake has always been fortified, usually by the 25 per cent solution of calcium chloride in sirup of glycyrrhiza previously described (1).