Hydrocortisone suppression test: graph showing serum calcium levels in two patients during hydrocortisone administration.
Two patients were given 40mg of hydrocortisone eight-hourly for ten days and their serum calcium was regularly checked. Patient ΓÇÿaΓÇÖ failed to respond and had primary hyperparathyroidism. Such a response is not diagnostic of hyperparathyroidism as fifty percent of hypercalcaemic malignancies also fail to respond. Patient ΓÇÿbΓÇÖ had sarcoidosis, but similar responses may occur in vitamin D intoxication. His calcium levels rapidly decreased to the normal range; such a response is exceptional in hyperparathyroidism.
