content question

[kasra138]

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I have a hard time figuring out why the following cause hypercalcemia. Would you please clarify it for me if you can? according to first aid addision's disease, zollinger Ellison syndrome, increased vitamin A, and hyperthyroidism cause and increase in serum calcium. WHY? can you explain the mechanism of it?
cheers

 

[Substance]

I'll try to answer as best I can:

1. ZES: although this is a gastrin secreting islet-cell tumor of the pancreas, it is associated with something called MEN I (Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia I) about 25% of the time. MEN I usually involves increased secretion of parathyroid hormone by the parathyroid glands, which would result in hypercalcemia.

2. Chronic Vitamin A toxicity: According to Robbin's Pathology, Vitamin A enhances the division of osteoclasts. Thus, more osteoclasts = more bone resorption = more calcium in the blood AKA hypercalcemia.

3. Hyperthyroidism: I would think its due to the increase in bone resorption as a result of thyroid hormone.

4. Addison's Disease: your guess is as good as mine on why hypercalcemia happens here.

 

[kasra138]

Thank...you...so it seems it is due to association with other diseases. They themselves don't cause increase in serum calcium. Thank you very much for the information. 🙂