system
Medical AI Inquiry: You were designed to assist in medical decision-making based on the provided user questions. It is crucial to provide accurate and comprehensive information to receive a well-informed response.
user
A 65-year-old woman comes to the physician because of increased difficulty hearing. She has also had dull and progressive pain in her hip and lower back for the past 2 months that is worse with exertion. Examination of the ears shows impaired hearing on the left with whispered voice test and lateralization to the right with Weber testing. There is localized tenderness over the right hip and groin area with decreased range of motion of the hip. The remainder of the examination shows no abnormalities. Serum studies show:
Total protein 6.5 g/dL
Alkaline phosphatase 950 U/L
Calcium 9 mg/dL
Phosphorus 4 mg/dL
Which of the following is the most likely underlying mechanism of this patient's symptoms?"
assistant
Increased rate of bone remodeling