CALCIUM HOMEOSTASIS IN MORBID-OBESITY

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  • 1 January 1984
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 10  (5) , 316-318
Abstract
Ca homeostasis in morbidly obese subjects has attracted little attention. Prompted by reports of elevated serum levels of parathyroid hormone in such patients, Ca homeostasis was investigated in 36 patients with morbid obesity and in 44 normal weight controls. Concerning serum immunoreactive parathyroid hormone (C-terminal), serum ionized Ca2+ and serum albumin corrected Mg, no significant differences between the groups were detected. When albumin corrected, serum total Ca turned out to be significantly elevated (P < 0.0001) in the obese subjects. Also, serum alkaline phosphatase activity was significantly raised in the obese state. The results demonstrate that Ca homeostasis, as expressed by the metabolically active serum Ca2+, is normal in morbid obesity. The results, however also point towards an abnormal Ca binding due to either an increased Ca binding to albumin or to Ca complexing small anions.