Impaired Parathyroid Hormone Secretion Research Articles

Spectrum of Disorders associated with Tetany.

Awareness regarding the etiological spectrum of tetany is poor among physicians. Because of poor awareness, tetany is underdiagnosed and undertreated. Databases like PubMed, PubMed Central, Scopus, and Google Scholar are searched to identify peer-reviewed articles on tetany. Case reports, case series, and original articles are analyzed to identify different causes of tetany prevalent in the community. Different causes found are analyzed and tabulated, and finally, a flowchart is made on the approach for diagnosing different underlying pathologies of tetany. Both metabolic and respiratory alkalosis are important causes of tetany because of reduced ionized calcium levels. Gitelman syndrome (GS) is associated with metabolic alkalosis, hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia and hypocalciuria, and frequently causes normocalcemic tetany. Recurrent vomiting and primary hyperaldosteronism also cause tetany due to metabolic alkalosis. Hyperventilation syndrome (HVS) leads to respiratory alkalosis and is a frequent cause of tetany. Hyperventilation-induced tetany is also seen after spinal anesthesia and in respiratory disorders like asthma. Vitamin D deficiency (VDD), primary hypoparathyroidism, and pseudohypoparathyroidism (PHP) (1a, 1b, and 2) cause hypocalcemic tetany. Hypomagnesemia causes hypocalcemia and tetany due to peripheral parathyroid hormone resistance and impaired parathyroid hormone secretion. Drugs causing tetany include bisphosphonates, denosumab, cisplatin, antiepileptics, aminoglycosides, diuretics, etc. Tetany is also seen in acute pancreatitis, dengue, falciparum malaria, hyperemesis gravidarum, tumor lysis syndrome (TLS), massive blood transfusion, etc. Conclusion: The spectrum of disorders associated with tetany is diverse. Awareness of different causes will help early and proper diagnosis of tetany.

ODP076 A Unique Case of Iatrogenic Hypermagnesemia Induced Symptomatic Hypocalcemia

Abstract Introduction Magnesium plays a role in production, release, and end-organ responsiveness of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcium homeostasis. Hypomagnesemia has been well documented to cause hypocalcemia by impaired secretion of PTH or PTH resistance. Iatrogenic hypermagnesemia in pregnant patients receiving intravenous magnesium for suppression of premature labor and pre-eclampsia is an uncommon cause of hypocalcemia. We are reporting a case of symptomatic hypocalcemia caused by iatrogenic hypermagnesemia in post-partum mother, who had high PTH in contrast to previous case reports. CaseA 28-year-old G4P1122 female, postpartum day 16 was admitted for headache, slurred speech, and vomiting. She was found to have elevated blood pressures and was started on IV magnesium for postpartum preeclampsia. On her first day, she received a 4g bolus of magnesium sulfate followed by 2g as maintenance for seizure prophylaxis. The following morning, the patient awoke complaining of numbness/tingling in both arms and twitching in her face and eyelids. Later that day, she had developed bilateral spontaneous carpopedal spasm as well. Labs drawn at that time revealed ionized calcium 0.78mmol/L (1.18-1.32 mmol/L), corrected calcium 7.42mg/dL (8.5-10.1), vitamin D 25-OH 45ng/mL (30-100), PTH 149.1pg/mL (18.5-88), phosphorus 2.9mg/dL (2.3-4.6), GFR116mL/min (>60) and magnesium 3.5mg/dL (1.4-2.2). Patient was started on IV calcium gluconate infusion along with calcium carbonate 1g QID and vitamin D3 5000 units daily. By the evening of the second day, patient's carpopedal spasm and paresthesia completely resolved. Repeat labs demonstrated improved ionized calcium of 1.17mmol/L (1.18-1.32), corrected calcium of 9.78mg/dL (8.5-10.1), and magnesium of 1.5mg/dL (1.4-2.2). Patient was discharged on calcium carbonate 1g TID and Vitamin D3 5000 units daily. Patient self-discontinued calcium and vitamin D supplementation a week after discharge. Repeat labs one week later showed normal corrected calcium, magnesium, and PTH levels. Conclusion Our patient developed transient, symptomatic hypocalcemia with elevated PTH secondary to iatrogenic hypermagnesemia, which improved with intravenous calcium. Hypomagnesemia is a known cause of hypocalcemia, but hypermagnesemia is a significantly less recognized etiology. Hypermagnesemia can cause low PTH due to activation of calcium sensing receptors resulting in inhibition of PTH secretion. Hypermagnesemia can also blunt the peripheral effect of PTH and promote hypercalciuria. Previous studies showed PTH can peak by the end of magnesium infusion but still result in hypocalcemia, although this is an uncommon clinical presentation. Our case highlights this aspect of elevated PTH after the completion of IV Magnesium infusion but still unable to correct hypocalcemia due to PTH resistance from hypermagnesemia. This calls attention to another underrecognized sequalae of hypermagnesemia: blunting of peripheral tissues response to PTH. Clinicians should be aware of development of hypocalcemia with both hypo- and hypermagnesemia as well as the underlying pathophysiology. Presentation: No date and time listed

ODP100 Hypoparathyroidism in the Setting of COVID-19: Increasingly Common Phenomenon

Abstract Background Acquired hypoparathyroidism (HPT) in adults is most commonly caused by post-surgical or autoimmune damage to the parathyroid glands. Genetic defects causing abnormal gland development, impaired parathyroid hormone (PTH) production or action are rare and typically diagnosed in childhood. Recent literature suggests surprisingly high prevalence of hypocalcemia in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection and this finding is associated with poor outcomes. [1] We present a case of new onset HPT in a patient admitted with respiratory failure due to COVID-19. Case presentation A 63-year-old woman with history of obesity, GERD, asthma, presented to the ED with fever, cough, dyspnea, and diarrhea. She was found to have low O2 saturation, CXR revealed multifocal interstitial and airspace opacities. Her PCR SARS-CoV-2 test was positive and she was admitted to ICU. She was incidentally found to have severe hypocalcemia Ca 5.2 mg/dL (8.5 - 10.3 mg/dL), ionized Ca 2.46 mg/dL (4.50 - 5.10 mg/dL), albumin 3.7 g/dL (3.5 - 5. 0 g/dL). She denied any history of neck surgery, radiation or trauma and personal or family history of autoimmune or calcium disorders. Her calcium levels were normal over the past 4 years. She denied symptoms of hypocalcemia prior to presentation and reported leg cramps and finger numbness in the ED. Further work-up revealed PTH 13 pg/mL (15 - 65 pg/mL), 25-OH vitamin D 16 ng/mL (30 - 80 ng/mL), Mg 1.2 mg/dL (1.4 - 2.5 mg/dL), phosphorus 4.9 mg/dL (2.3 - 4.5 mg/dL), bicarbonate 26 mmol/L (22 - 32 mmol/L). Patient was started on Ca (IV and PO), Mg, and vitamin D replacement. PTH reassessment on days 6, 14, and 19 showed persistently low/inappropriately normal PTH (22, 14, and 8 pg/mL respectively) despite normalization of magnesium levels. Patient was discharged on Ca, Mg, and vitamin D supplementation with follow-up in Endocrinology clinic for further evaluation of her hypoparathyroidism progression. Conclusion SARS-CoV-2 infection causes a hypersensitive immune reaction and widespread inflammation. Emerging evidence suggests that this cytokine-mediated reaction and hypoxia associated with COVID-19 can affect the parathyroid glands, resulting in impaired PTH secretion. Furthermore, direct parathyroid tissue invasion and destruction by means of entry via angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptors has also been proposed [2]. Hypocalcemia in our patient could be multifactorial, however we believe that COVID-19 induced HPT was the leading mechanism. We hope that further research explores this hypothesis and elucidates the underlying pathophysiology.

Bone pathology in chronic kidney disease

The article presents current data on mineral and bone disorders in patients with various stages of chronic kidney disease. The key points of bone lesions pathology are reflected, which include impaired secretion of parathyroid hormone and phosphorus-calcium metabolism, specific osteopathy and extraskeletal calcification, the relationship between bone pathology and cardiovascular complications is indicated. The role of diagnostic tools (FRAX questionnaire, bone densitometry, biochemical parameters and new biological markers) is discussed, approaches to the interpretation of research results are defined. Both general population and specific risk factors for bone strength decrease and occurrence of osteoporotic fractures pathology in chronic kidney disease are described.

Seasonality of vitamin D concentrations and the incidence of vitamin D deficiency in children and adolescents from central Poland.

Vitamin D3 [25(OH)D] deficiency is asignificant problem in Polish children. In many regions of the world, 25(OH)D concentrations show seasonal variation and differences between boys and girls, due to seasonal differences in insolation, as well as different sociological and cultural factors. The aim of the study was to assess the seasonal variations of 25(OH)D concentrations and the incidence of vitamin D deficiency in children from central Poland. The analysis comprised 1275 children, age 3-18 (11.2 ±4.0) years, with disorders of growing and/or puberty, obesity, and other complaints that could be related to endocrine diseases, except for ones with calcium-phosphorus imbalance, impaired parathyroid hormone secretion, and diseases that may influence vitamin D supply. Seasonal variability of 25(OH)D concentrations was observed with maximal levels in August and minimal in January and close relationship between 25(OH)D levels and insolation in the previous two months. In all the quarters, 25(OH)D concentrations were lower in girls than in boys and in older vs. younger children. The median value of 25(OH)D concentrations was below the lower limit of optimal range during the whole year. High incidence of 25(OH)D deficiency was observed (from 10.7% in August to 80.4% in January) together with low proportion of normal 25(OH)D levels (from 3.6% in January to 42.1% in August). Our results are consistent with previous reports on inadequate vitamin D supplementation in Polish children and adolescents, pointing out the necessity to implement current recommendations concerning vitamin D supplementation and the need for further studies on the consequences vitamin D deficiency for health of children and adolescents, with special attention to the pleiotropic effects of vitamin D.

Low magnesium diet aggravates phosphate-induced kidney injury.

Magnesium is known to protect against phosphate-induced tubular cell injuries in vitro. We investigated in vivo effects of magnesium on kidney injuries and phosphate metabolism in mice exposed to a high phosphate diet. Heminephrectomized mice were maintained on a high phosphate/normal magnesium diet or a high phosphate/low magnesium diet for 6 weeks. We compared renal histology, phosphaturic hormones and renal α-Klotho expression between the two diet groups. High phosphate diet-induced tubular injuries and interstitial fibrosis were remarkably aggravated by the low-magnesium diet. At 1 week after high phosphate feeding when serum creatinine levels were similar between the two groups, the low magnesium diet suppressed not only fecal phosphate excretion but also urinary phosphate excretion, resulting in increased serum phosphate levels. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were not appropriately elevated in the low magnesium diet group despite lower 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and serum calcium levels compared with the normal magnesium diet group. Although fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) levels were lower in the low magnesium diet group, calcitriol-induced upregulation of FGF23 could not restore the impaired urinary phosphate excretion. The low magnesium diet markedly downregulated α-Klotho expression in the kidney. This downregulation of α-Klotho occurred even when mice were fed the low phosphate diet. A low magnesium diet aggravated high phosphate diet-induced kidney injuries. Impaired PTH secretion and downregulation of renal α-Klotho were likely to be involved in the blunted urinary phosphate excretion by the low magnesium diet. Increasing dietary magnesium may be useful to attenuate phosphate-induced kidney injury.

Phosphorylation of Ribosomal Protein S6 Mediates Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Complex 1-Induced Parathyroid Cell Proliferation in Secondary Hyperparathyroidism.

Secondary hyperparathyroidism is characterized by increased serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) level and parathyroid cell proliferation. However, the molecular pathways mediating the increased parathyroid cell proliferation remain undefined. Here, we found that the mTOR pathway was activated in the parathyroid of rats with secondary hyperparathyroidism induced by either chronic hypocalcemia or uremia, which was measured by increased phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6 (rpS6), a downstream target of the mTOR pathway. This activation correlated with increased parathyroid cell proliferation. Inhibition of mTOR complex 1 by rapamycin decreased or prevented parathyroid cell proliferation in secondary hyperparathyroidism rats and in vitro in uremic rat parathyroid glands in organ culture. Knockin rpS6(p-/-) mice, in which rpS6 cannot be phosphorylated because of substitution of all five phosphorylatable serines with alanines, had impaired PTH secretion after experimental uremia- or folic acid-induced AKI. Uremic rpS6(p-/-) mice had no increase in parathyroid cell proliferation compared with a marked increase in uremic wild-type mice. These results underscore the importance of mTOR activation and rpS6 phosphorylation for the pathogenesis of secondary hyperparathyroidism and indicate that mTORC1 is a significant regulator of parathyroid cell proliferation through rpS6.

PTH-independent regulation of blood calcium concentration by the calcium-sensing receptor

Tight regulation of calcium levels is required for many critical biological functions. The Ca2+-sensing receptor (CaSR) expressed by parathyroid cells controls blood calcium concentration by regulating parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion. However, CaSR is also expressed in other organs, such as the kidney, but the importance of extraparathyroid CaSR in calcium metabolism remains unknown. Here, we investigated the role of extraparathyroid CaSR using thyroparathyroidectomized, PTH-supplemented rats. Chronic inhibition of CaSR selectively increased renal tubular calcium absorption and blood calcium concentration independent of PTH secretion change and without altering intestinal calcium absorption. CaSR inhibition increased blood calcium concentration in animals pretreated with a bisphosphonate, indicating that the increase did not result from release of bone calcium. Kidney CaSR was expressed primarily in the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle (TAL). As measured by in vitro microperfusion of cortical TAL, CaSR inhibitors increased calcium reabsorption and paracellular pathway permeability but did not change NaCl reabsorption. We conclude that CaSR is a direct determinant of blood calcium concentration, independent of PTH, and modulates renal tubular calcium transport in the TAL via the permeability of the paracellular pathway. These findings suggest that CaSR inhibitors may provide a new specific treatment for disorders related to impaired PTH secretion, such as primary hypoparathyroidism.

Acute-onset hypomagnesemia-induced hypocalcemia caused by the refractoriness of bones and renal tubules to parathyroid hormone

Chronic hypomagnesemia is closely associated with hypocalcemia, which is caused by impaired parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion or the refractoriness of bone and renal tubules to PTH. The dominant mechanism of acute-onset, hypomagnesemia-induced hypocalcemia is currently unclear. An 83-year-old man who had undergone chemotherapy with carboplatin for prostate cancer suffered from acute diarrhea and finger paresthesia. Laboratory data confirmed hypocalcemia as well as hypomagnesemia. Urinary calcium levels were not measured. However, the urinary fractional excretion of Mg (FE(Mg)) was elevated. Despite elevated PTH levels, the renal tubular maximal reabsorption rate of phosphate to GFR (TmP/GFR) was elevated, and bone formation and resorption markers were suppressed. A magnesium loading test revealed a clear magnesium deficiency. After administration of magnesium, bone marker levels were increased, and TmP/GFR was reduced to normal levels, despite the persistent elevation of PTH. Serum calcium levels eventually increased to approximately the reference range. Clinical histories and these observations both suggest that when patients with hypomagnesemia-induced hypocalcemia rapidly lose magnesium through complications such as diarrhea, the primary cause may be the refractoriness of bone and renal tubules to PTH, rather than impaired PTH secretion.

Calcium-sensing receptor and hypoparathyroidism

Serum level of parathyroid hormone (PTH) is strictly regulated by serum calcium concentration, which is sensed by the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) , a member of G-protein-coupled-receptor superfamily. Activating CaSR mutations result in the impaired PTH secretion and hypocalcemia, and the increased sensitivity of the receptor in kidney leads to relative hypercalciuria despite hypocalcemia. Recognizing the patients with activating mutations in CaSR is quite important, because these patients can exhibit unusual sensitivity to treatment of their hypocalcemia with calcium and vitamin D supplementation, with toxic effects including nephrocalcinosis, renal stones, and diminished renal function.

Does calcitonin cause hypocalcaemia after thyroidectomy?

Plasma calcitonin, parathyroid hormone, total thyroid hormones and calcium were measured in 6 patients before, during and after thyroidectomy for hyperthyroidism. In 4 patients, plasma calcium fell postoperatively by 0.23--0.46 mmol/l, but there was no change in calcitonin or parathyroid hormone levels. In one patient, in whom there was a postoperative fall in plasma calcium of 0.55 mmol/l, thyroid hormones rose to a peak at 1 h and calcitonin to a peak at 12 h after resection. However, the rise in calcitonin occurred 8 h after the initial decrease in plasma calcium. In this patient, parathyroid hormone levels showed a slight rise only. It is concluded that, while thyroid hormones and calcitonin may leak from the damaged thyroid remnant after surgery, it is unlikely that calcitonin is important in the production of postoperative hypocalcaemia. However, impaired parathyroid hormone secretion may be a contributing factor.

Impaired secretion of parathyroid hormone, but not refractoriness of osteoblast, is a major mechanism of low bone turnover in hemodialyzed patients with diabetes mellitus

Diabetic bone disease is characterized by low bone turnover resulting from either impaired secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH) or refractoriness of osteoblasts to PTH. The present study was performed to elucidate which factor contributes more to the reduction in bone turnover by comparison between 64 hemodialyzed patients with diabetes mellitus and 106 hemodialyzed patients without diabetes mellitus. Only men were enrolled to avoid the influence of the menstrual cycle on bone metabolism. Serum intact PTH (iPTH) levels were significantly lower in hemodialyzed patients with diabetes than those without diabetes, although no significant difference existed in age, duration of hemodialysis therapy, or serum calcium or phosphate levels. Of the biochemical markers measured, serum intact osteocalcin (iOC) and deoxypyridinoline levels were significantly lower in patients with diabetes, although serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP) and pyridinoline levels did not differ significantly between the two groups of patients. When patients were restricted to those with serum iPTH levels greater than 180 pg/mL, this parameter correlated significantly in a positive manner with both serum iOC and BAP levels and negatively with bone mineral density at distal radius 1/3. Regression slopes between iPTH levels and these parameters were not significantly different between the two groups of patients, indicating the absence of refractoriness of bone to PTH in patients with diabetes. In conclusion, our findings suggest that impaired PTH secretion, but not refractoriness of osteoblasts to PTH, may be responsible for the low bone turnover in hemodialyzed patients with diabetes. © 2002 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc.

Impaired secretion of parathyroid hormone is coherent to diabetic hemodialyzed patients

Diabetic bone disease is characterized by low bone turnover resulting from impaired secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH). However, it was suggested that the difference in duration of hemodialysis (HD) therapy and age of patients between HD patients with and without diabetes mellitus (DM) may be responsible for a significant reduction in serum intact PTH (iPTH) level in HD patients with DM. The present study showed that although such major factors affecting PTH secretion as age, sex, HD duration, and serum calcium, phosphate, and magnesium levels did not differ significantly between HD patients with and without DM, serum iPTH levels were still significantly lower in HD patients with than without DM. Among biochemical markers for bone metabolism, serum levels of intact osteocalcin (iOC) and deoxypyridinoline (DPD) were significantly lower in HD patients with than without DM, whereas serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, pyridinoline, and β-crosslaps did not differ significantly between the two groups of patients. In summary, our findings indicate that PTH secretion may be significantly impaired in HD patients with DM compared with those without DM, and serum iOC and DPD are bone markers sensitive enough to detect low bone turnover in HD patients with DM. © 2001 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc.

Hypocalcemia in critically ill patients

To review calcium regulation, causes of hypocalcemia during critical illness, clinical features and treatment of hypocalcemia, hemodynamic effects of calcium administration, calcium-catecholamine interactions, and the role of calcium in ischemic injury. Representative articles from the medical literature are used to support the discussion of selected aspects of calcium metabolism which are important to the practice of critical care medicine. Results from both animal and human investigations and both in vitro and in vivo studies are discussed. Circulating calcium levels are best measured using ionized calcium electrodes. Ionized hypocalcemia is common in critically ill patients and usually results from impaired parathyroid hormone secretion or action, impaired vitamin D synthesis or action, or calcium chelation/precipitation. Ionized hypocalcemia most commonly presents as cardiovascular or neuromuscular insufficiency. Mild ionized hypocalcemia (greater than 0.8 mmol/L) is usually asymptomatic and frequently does not require treatment. Moderate-to-severe ionized hypocalcemia is best treated with iv calcium in the critically ill patient. The majority of studies report no increase in cardiac output but a significant increase in BP after iv calcium administration. When administered with beta-adrenergic agonists, calcium frequently impairs their cardiovascular actions. Intracellular calcium dysregulation is common during ischemic and shock states. Agents which increase intracellular calcium may be harmful during cellular ischemia. Alterations in calcium regulation and calcium concentrations are common during critical illness. Optimal management of altered calcium concentrations requires an understanding of the pathophysiology behind these alterations.

End-organ response to adrenocorticotropin, thyrotropin, gonadotropin-releasing hormone, and glucagon in hypocalcemic magnesium deficient patients.

We have evaluated the responsiveness of hypocalcemic magnesium-deficient patients to ACTH, TRH, gonadotropin-releasing hormone, and glucagon as determined by the rise in serum cortisol, TSH, LH, and plasma cAMP concentrations, respectively. It was previously been shown that the hypocalcemia of magnesium deficiency is secondary to impaired secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH) along with renal and skeletal resistance to the action of PTH. Since PTH secretion and action are though to be effected through the intermediary action of cAMP, and magnesium is a required cofactor for adenylate cyclase, defective generation of cAMP could account for the observed defects in PTH secretion and action. Other hormonal systems requiring the intermediary action of cAMP may be similarly affected by magnesium deficiency. The results of the present study, however, demonstrate normal responsiveness of the adrenal cortex, thyrotrophs, gonadotrophs, and liver to their respective trophic hormones in hypocalcemic magnesium-deficient patients. The reason why these responses are intact while PTH secretion and action are impaired is unknown but may be accounted for by differing magnesium requirements of the adenylate cyclase complex in these tissues.

Effect of ethanol on parathyroid hormone secretion in the rat

The effect of ethanol on serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcium concentration was evaluated. In the first study unanesthetized and unrestrained 350-g rats with indwelling aortic catheters received a gavage of ethanol (2.5 g/kg body weight) or saline (control). During the 2-hr observation period in the ethanol-treated rats the serum calcium concentrations significantly declined and serum PTH secretion significantly increased. The second study evaluated the effect of even smaller doses of ethanol (0.2 g/kg and 0.4 g/kg) administered intraperitoneally to 300-g rats. Six hr later, both low doses of ethanol had caused significant decreases in serum calcium levels and significant elevations in serum PTH concentration. Following the 0.4 g ethanol/kg treatment, the decline in serum calcium level was even lower and elevation in serum PTH concentration was even higher than those observed in the rats receiving 0.2 g ethanol/kg treatment. These data indicate that in the rat (1) even small doses of ethanol have a dose-related hypocalcemic effect, (2) impaired PTH secretion is not the cause of this hypocalcemic effect of ethanol, and (3) the compensatory increase in PTH secretion cannot prevent or correct the hypocalcemia caused by ethanol. These observations further suggest caution in using even small amounts of ethanol as a solvent for the agents used in studies of calcium metabolism.

FUNCTIONAL HYPOPARATHYROIDISM AND PARATHYROID HORMONE END‐ORGAN RESISTANCE IN HUMAN MAGNESIUM DEFICIENCY

Hypocalcaemia is a well-recognized manifestation of magnesium deficiency. We have studied seventeen patients with this syndrome in an attempt to determine the pathogenesis of the hypocalcaemia. Mean initial serum calcium concentration was 5-6 mg/dl and mean initial serum magnesium concentration was 0-75 mg/dl. Serum immunoreactive parathyroid hormone (IPTH) was measured in sixteen patients in the untreated state. Despite severe hypocalcaemia, serum IPTH was either undetectable (less than 150 pg/ml) or normal (less than 550 pg/ml) in all but two patients. Serial measurements made during the initial 4 days of magnesium therapy in four patients showed an increase in serum IPTH within 24h, but a delayed increase in serum calcium, which required approximately 4 days to reach normal values. The effect of the rapid normalization of serum magnesium on serum IPTH and serum calcium concentration was studied in three patients. Within 1 min after 144-300 mg of elemental magnesium was administered i.v., serum IPTH had risen from undetectable to 3600 pg/ml and 1725 pg/ml in two patients and from 425 pg/ml to 937 pg/ml in the third. Serum calcium concentrations were unchanged after 30-60 min. These data provide evidence for impaired parathyroid gland function in most of the magnesium deficient patients. The rapidity with which serum IPTH rose in response to magnesium therapy indicates that this may reflect a defect in parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion rather than its biosynthesis. The failure of serum calcium concentration to increase during the initial days of magnesium repletion, at a time when serum IPTH concentrations were normal or elevated, suggests end-organ resistance to PTH in these patients. The renal response to PTH was examined in two magnesium deficient patients by measurement of urinary cyclic AMP excretion following administration of parathyroid extract. In both patients there was a minimal increase in urinary cyclic AMP concentrations. In contrast, when the hepatic response to glucagon was tested on the same patients by measurement of plasma cyclic AMP concentrations following administration of glucagon, normal increases were observed. These results suggest that adenylate cyclase systems of various organs may be affected differentially by a state of magnesium deficiency. It is suggested that magnesium deficiency may result in defective cyclic AMP generation in the parathyroid glands and in the PTH target organs. This could be the principal mechanism operative in both impaired PTH secretion and end-organ resistance to PTH which together contribute to the development of hypocalcaemia.