Activating mutations of the calcium-sensing receptor (CaR) can cause isolat
ed hypoparathyroidism. Treatment of hypocalcemia in these patients remains
to be optimized, because the use of 1-hydroxylated vitamin D3 derivatives c
an cause hypercalciuria and nephrocalcinosis.
We identified activating CaR mutations in 8 (42%) of 19 unrelated probands
with isolated hypoparathyroidism: The severity of hypocalcemic symptoms at
diagnosis was independent of age, mutation type, or mode of inheritance but
was related to the degree of hypocalcemia; serum Ca was 1.97 +/- 0.08, 1.8
2 +/- 0.14, and 1.54 +/- 0.22 mmol/liter, respectively, in asymptomatic (n
= 7), mildly symptomatic (n = 8), and severely symptomatic patients (n = 6)
. Hypocalcemia segregated with the CaR mutation, but no phenotype-genotype
relationships were identified. Fourteen patients received regular 1-hydroxy
lated vitamin D3 treatment (mean duration, 7.2 +/- 4.9 yr). Nine had hyperc
alciuric episodes, which were associated with nephrocalcinosis in eight cas
es. Serum Ca during treatment predicted hypercalciuria and nephrocalcinosis
poorly, because either or both of the latter could develop in hypocalcemic
patients.
Thus, mutational analysis of the CaR gene should be considered early in the
work-up of isolated hypoparathyroidism. Treatment options should be weighe
d carefully in patients with serum Ca below 1.95 mmol/liter. The risk of ne
phrocalcinosis during treatment can be minimized by carefully monitoring ur
inary Ca excretion.