Hypercalcaemia and hypokalaemia in tuberculosis.

Abstract

In 2 patients with extensive pulmonary tuberculosis who developed hypercalcemia and hypokalemia the hypercalcemia appeared related to the use of small doses of vitamin D. Patients with tuberculosis may be hypersensitive to vitamin D. They were similar to patients with sarcoidosis. The Kveim test result was positive in both cases. The hypercalcemia was quickly suppressed with steroids. Hyperparathyroidism, thyrotoxicosis, Addison''s disease and multiple myeloma were excluded on clinical grounds and by the appropriate tests. The hypokalemia was associated with increased renal excretion of K and was probably due to distal tubular damage from hypercalcemia.