Hypercalcemia in an AIDS patient treated with growth hormone.

METHOD: Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) is a newly approved treatment for weight loss and wasting in patients with AIDS. We report a male patient with advanced AIDS who developed hypercalcemia 2 weeks after institution of rhGH therapy.

RESULTS

Parathyroid hormone, parathyroid hormone-related peptide and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels were suppressed, suggesting that hypercalcemia was mediated through alternative mechanisms. The hypercalcemia responded to discontinuation of rhGH and a single dose of intravenous pamidronate disodium and has not recurred in 8 months of follow-up.

CONCLUSION

We believe this to be the first reported case of rhGH-induced hypercalcemia in an HIV-infected patient.