Hypercalcemia caused by which one of the following is most likely to respond to treatment with coicosteroids?: (A) Primary hyperparathyroidism, (B) Milk alkali syndrome, (C) Sarcoidosis, (D) Paget's disease
Answer is C. Hypercalcemia is a highly prevalent complication of sarcoidosis. Hypercalcemia in sarcoidosis is due to the uncontrolled synthesis of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 by macrophages. 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 leads to an increased absorption of calcium in the intestine and to an increased resorption of calcium in the bone Ref Davidson 23rd edition pg 364