CORTISONE AND CALCIUM BALANCE (EFFECT OF CALCIUM, VITAMIN-D AND METHYLANDROSTENEDIOL)

Abstract

The Ca balance in a young male patient suffering from spondylarthritis ankylopoietica under cortisone treatment was investigated. On a Ca-poor diet cortisone caused an increasing negative Ca balance which was temporarily reversed by the addition of Ca and vitamin D. Giving methylandrostenediol reduced the urinary and fecal excretion of Ca and made the balance positive. Reduction or discontinuation of cortisone treatment produced a marked retention of Ca. It was concluded that patients with Cushing''s syndrome and patients under long-term treatment with ACTH or cortisone should be given an abundant amount of Ca and vitamin D and, in addition, methylandrostenediol.