Categories: Endocrinology

Hypercalcemia in Granulomatous Disorders: Mechanism

Hypercalcemia can occur in the context of several granulomatous diseases including: Sarcoidosis, Wegener’s granulomatosis, Silicosis, Berylliosis, Tuberculosis, Fungal granulomas and lymphomas.

WHY? Due to pathological up regulation of the conversion of:

Calcidiol (25-hydroxyvitamin D) —> Calcitriol  (1,25-(OH2)D3) via 1-hydroxylase

by activated macrophages within the pulmonary parenchyma and granulomatous inflammation.

RESOURCES

  1. Sharma, OP. Hypercalcemia in granulomatous disorders: a clinical review. Curr Opin Pulm Med. 2000 Sep;6(5):442-7.
  2. M. Fuss, T. Pepersack, C. Gillet, R. Karmali, J. Corvilain. Calcium and vitamin D metabolism in granulomatous diseases. Clinical Rheumatology. March 1992, Volume 11, Issue 1, pp 28–36.
  3. Hypercalcaemia secondary to granulomatous disorders- a series. Malik Humayun & Tristan Richardson. Endocrine Abstracts (2012) 28 P18.
Get Medical Pearls directly to your inbox every week!
Weekly posts with high yield medical knowledge, directly to your mailbox!
Dr. C Humphreys

Internal Medicine

Recent Posts

Older Age and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): Mechanism

Older age is recognized as a risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea.[1] But why? Suspected…

1 month ago

How does Weight Affect Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): Mechanism

Being overweight (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2)/Obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) is one of the most…

1 month ago

Nocturia and OSA: Mechanism

Nocturia is a common symptom associated with obstructive sleep apnea. [1] Img Cred: Am J…

1 year ago

ASD vs. VSD Murmur Difference

ASD (Atrial Septal Defect) Wide, Fixed split S2 (in contrast to the normal variation in…

1 year ago

Mechanism of a Mixed Apnea

Mixed apneas are characterized by absent respiratory effort and airflow in the first section of…

2 years ago

How Does Hypothyroidism Cause Hypoventilation?

Although rare, the differential diagnosis of hypoventilation and hypercapnia respiratory failure includes hypothyroidism. It is…

2 years ago

This website uses cookies.