PARATHYROID TETANY: CHRONIC IDIOPATHIC PARATHYROID INSUFFICIENCY OF TEN YEARS' DURATION SUCCESSFULLY CONTROLLED WITH DIHYDROTACHYSTEROL

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Abstract
A young [female], 23 yrs. of age, suffered from chronic idiopathic parathyroid insufficiency of 10 yrs.'' duration complicated by convulsions at the time of menstruation. The avg. readings for the blood Ca were 7.5 mg. and for P 7 mg. With menstruation the Ca was reduced below 6 mg. All types of Ca therapy and diets, parathyroid extract and parathyroid gland grafts, though of some temporary benefit, were ultimately inadequate. During pregnancy she was free of symptoms and blood Ca approached normal. But with the return of menstrual function the original difficulty recurred. The patient was remarkably improved by the use of dihydrotachysterol[long dash]also known as AT 10. This drug is a dihydro derivative of one of the products of the irradiation of ergosterol. It is an oily soln., stable, and administered by-mouth. Its action is similar to parathyroid extract but it acts more slowly and over a longer period of time. Its toxic effects are due to hypercalcemia. The medication has consisted of 20 minims of dihydrotachysterol daily and 6 oz. of 5% Ca lactate soln. The patient has been free of symptoms for more than \\ yrs. and her blood Ca and P are normal.

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