A LOW DOSE REGIME OF 1α HYDROXYVITAMIN D3 IN THE MANAGEMENT OF SENILE OSTEOPOROSIS: A PILOT STUDY

SUMMARY A comparison has been made between the metabolic consequences of daily administration for 6 weeks of 1·0 μg and 0·5 μg la hydroxyvitamin D3 (1α(OH)D3) in twenty patients with senile osteoporosis. There was no significant difference in the increase of calcium absorption which occurred in the two treatment groups between the beginning and end of the trial period. Serum and urinary calcium rose significantly in those receiving 1·0 μg 1α(OH)D3 but not in the lower dosage group. Serum parathyroid hormone levels were suppressed in the higher dosage group only. There was a significantly greater rise of serum inorganic phosphate, and fall of serum magnesium, on the higher dosage, but no significant change in serum creatinine occurred in either group. It is, therefore, suggested that in long term therapy regimes for osteoporosis incorporating 1α(OH)D3, 0·5 μg may be a more suitable daily dose than 1·0 μg 1α(OH)D3.