Studies of fluoride and calcium metabolism in patients with osteoporosis

Abstract

Studies of fluoride and calcium metabolism were made under constant metabolic conditions in three patients with osteoporosis during the intake of sodium fluoride. The dose of sodium fluoride ranged from 88 to 100 mg/day, given for two and a half to three months. Fluoride, calcium, phosphorus and nitrogen balances were measured in control studies and during the intake of sodium fluoride. The intake of sodium fluoride resulted in a very high retention of fluoride, the fluoride balances ranging from +11.2 to +17.7 mg/day. The only change in calcium metabolism was a gradual decrease in urinary calcium during the intake of sodium fluoride, whereas the fecal calcium, the intestinal absorption of calcium, the endogenous fecal calcium and the retention of intravenously infused calcium remained unchanged. The changes in phosphorus metabolism corresponded to those in calcium metabolism. Studies of fluoride and calcium metabolism were made under constant metabolic conditions in three patients with osteoporosis during the intake of sodium fluoride. The dose of sodium fluoride ranged from 88 to 100 mg/day, given for two and a half to three months. Fluoride, calcium, phosphorus and nitrogen balances were measured in control studies and during the intake of sodium fluoride. The intake of sodium fluoride resulted in a very high retention of fluoride, the fluoride balances ranging from +11.2 to +17.7 mg/day. The only change in calcium metabolism was a gradual decrease in urinary calcium during the intake of sodium fluoride, whereas the fecal calcium, the intestinal absorption of calcium, the endogenous fecal calcium and the retention of intravenously infused calcium remained unchanged. The changes in phosphorus metabolism corresponded to those in calcium metabolism.