Acromegaly as a cause of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-dependent hypercalcemia: case reports and review of the literature

Pituitary. 2012 Dec:15 Suppl 1:S17-22. doi: 10.1007/s11102-010-0286-8.

Abstract

Growth hormone excess has been associated with hypercalciuria and nephrolithiasis. Hypercalcemia in acromegaly is rare and usually due to coexistent primary hyperparathyroidism. To report two cases of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25 (OH)(2) D)-dependent hypercalcemia in cromegaly. A 50 year-old female with 2 years history of hypercalcemia presented with features of acromegaly. Serum calcium (Ca) was 10.9 mg/dl (8.6-10.2), parathyroid hormone (PTH) 20 pg/ml (10-65), PTH-related peptide undetectable, and 1,25 (OH)(2) D 119 pg/ml (15-75). Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) was 911 ng/ml (49-292) and growth hormone (GH) 14.5 ng/ml (0.03-10). MRI showed a 1.7 cm pituitary tumor. Transsphenoidal adenectomy (TSA) resulted in normalization of IGF1, GH, Ca, and 1,25 (OH)(2) D (50 pg/ml) and complete tumor resection. A 52-year-old female was diagnosed with visual field deficits on routine exam. MRI showed a 3 cm invasive pituitary macroadenoma. IGF1 was 416 ng/ml (87-238) and GH 75.8 (0-6.0) ng/ml. Incidentally, she was found with high Ca of 10.8 mg/dl (8.9-10.3) associated with PTH 19 pg/ml and 1,25 (OH)(2) D66 pg/ml. Postoperatively, IGF1 and GH remained abnormal (440 and 12.8 ng/ml, respectively), while MRI showed parasellar tumor residue. Ca remained high (10.1-11.1 mg/dl), along with elevated 1,25 (OH)(2) D level (81.3 pg/ml). In both cases, other causes of hypercalcemia were ruled out. We present 2 cases of 1,25 (OH)(2) D-dependent hypercalcemia associated with growth hormone excess. Complete resection of tumor produced biochemical remission of acromegaly and normalization of calcium and 1,25 (OH)(2) D levels, while incomplete resection was associated with persistent 1,25 (OH)(2) D-dependent hypercalcemia. Acromegaly should be considered a cause of 1,25 (OH)(2) D-dependent hypercalcemia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acromegaly / complications*
  • Female
  • Human Growth Hormone / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Hypercalcemia / diagnosis
  • Hypercalcemia / etiology*
  • Hypercalcemia / metabolism*
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / metabolism
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Middle Aged
  • Vitamin D / analogs & derivatives*
  • Vitamin D / metabolism

Substances

  • Human Growth Hormone
  • Vitamin D
  • 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I