Pharmacologic Control of Bone Mineral Homeostasis

Chronic disturbances in calcium homeostasis can also produce problems in bone calcification. Likewise, various metabolic bone diseases can alter blood calcium levels, leading to hypocalcemia or hypercalcemia. Some of the more common metabolic diseases 

Disease Hypoparathyroidism Pathophysiology Decreased parathyroid hormone secretion leads to impaired bone resorption and hypocalcemia Primary Drug Treatment Calcium supplements, vitamin D 

Hyperparathyroidism Increased parathyroid hormone secretion, usually caused by parathyroid tumors leads to excessive bone resorption and hypercalcemia Usually treated surgically by partial or complete resection of the parathyroid gland 

Osteoporosis Generalized bone demineralization often associated with effects of aging and hormonal changes in postmenopausal women Calcium supplements, vitamin D, calcitonin, bisphosphonates, intermittent parathyroid hormone, estrogen, or SERMs (raloxifene] (see Chapter 30] 

Rickets Impaired bone mineralization in children caused by a deficiency of vitamin D Calcium supplements, vitamin D 

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