The effect of long- and short-term corticosteroids on plasma calcitonin and parathyroid hormone levels.

The role of calcitonin and parathyroid hormone (PTH) in corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis is controversial. We therefore measured plasma calcitonin and PTH levels in 34 adults receiving chronic pharmacological corticosteroids for obstructive airways disease, and in controls matched for age, sex, menopause, and disease. In addition, the acute effect of a 7-day course of 15 mg prednisolone daily on fasting and calcium-stimulated calcitonin was studied in 10 normal male volunteers. There was no difference in calcitonin and PTH levels in the corticosteroid-treated patients when compared with controls. The corrected serum calcium was significantly higher in the steroid-treated patients (patients mean 2.40 (SEM 0.01) mmol/liter; controls mean 2.33 (SEM 0.01) mmol/liter; P < 0.001). The short course of corticosteroids in volunteers did not alter basal or stimulated calcitonin, PTH, or calcium levels. These results suggest that neither calcitonin deficiency nor PTH excess is a feature of corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis.