Na₂-EDTA Test as a Stimulation Test for Parathyroid Hormone Secretion

Abstract

Intravenous infusion of 3.75 mg/kg Na₂EDTA along with 4 mg/kg procaine resulted in a difinite fall of serum calcium which gradually recovered towards the previous level in endocrinologically and metabolically normal subjects with the expected time of recovery of 5.4±0.4 hours and a rise of serum immunoreactive parathyroid hormone by about 5 times. In postoperative and idiopathic hypoparathyroidism, on the other hand, the rerecovery of serum calcium was delayed, with prolongation of the expected time of recovery and scarecely any rise of serum parathyroid hormone. Na₂-EDTA appears to be useful to stimulate the parathyroid hormone secretion and to test the functional reserve of the parathyroid glands in man.