STUDIES OF CALCIUM AND PHOSPHORUS METABOLISM

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Abstract
A group suffering from various thyroid diseases was studied on a low Ca diet. Ca excretion of patients with exophthalmic goiter and in those with hyper-functioning thyroid adenomata was increased markedly above normal. This increase (231%) was far greater than the increase in basal metabolic rate (55%). Ingestion of thyroid by normal individuals likewise increased Ca metabolism. Ca excretion in myxedema was markedly diminished below normal. A marked increase in P excretion was also found. This increase was quantitatively such as to suggest that most of the Ca excreted came from tertiary Ca phosphate in the bones. This rate of Ca elimination was not obvious in the blood, for essentially normal values for Ca and P were found in the serum. X-ray evidence presented indicates that marked osteoporosis may develop in the bones from prolonged hyperthyroidism. The increased Ca ex- cretion was not dependent on the elevated metabolism alone, for 3 out of 4 patients with high metabolism due to leukemia or fever had normal Ca elimination.

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