Denosumab-induced hypocalcemia in a patient with hyperthyroidism: a case report

Denosumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL). It reversibly inhibits osteoclast-mediated bone resorption by preventing the interaction of RANKL with its receptor [1]. The long-term effects of denosumab in preventing fragility fractures and continuously improving bone mineral density have been reported in the FREEDOM study and its extension trial [2, 3]. Denosumab is widely prescribed because it does not require dose adjustment according to renal function and does not cause any flu-like symptoms, unlike bisphosphonates, when administered [4]. Several randomized controlled trials have reported hypocalcemia as a serious adverse reaction to denosumab [3, 5]. A higher incidence of hypocalcemia has been reported among patients with chronic kidney disease [6], malignancy [7, 8], and vitamin D deficiency [9]. It has also been suggested that high bone turnover is associated with denosumab-induced hypocalcemia [10, 11]. Here, we report a case of denosumab-induced hypocalcemia in a patient with hyperthyroidism with a high bone turnover state.

A 48-year-old woman visited the hospital complaining of a weight loss of 10 kg, sweating, and palpitations for 7 months. She had experienced a hand tremor 7 months before and frequently took stool. She had spontaneous menopause at the age of 45 years. Estrogen replacement therapy was started but discontinued because of adverse reactions. She was not on any medications for any diseases, including osteoporosis. Her height and weight were 164 cm and 55 kg, respectively. Regarding vital signs, her blood pressure was 125/75 mmHg and heart rate was 113 beats/min. Initial blood test results were as follows: thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), <0.003 (reference range [RR], 0.3–4.0) mIU/L; free thyroxine (T4), 2.58 (RR, 0.89–1.79) ng/dL; triiodothyronine (T3), 4.14 (RR, 0.64–1.52) ng/mL; TSH receptor antibody, 24.24 (RR, <1.75) IU/L; 25-hydroxyvitamin D, 31 (RR, 30–150) ng/mL; calcium (Ca), 10.2 (RR, 8.8–10.6) mg/dL; phosphorus (P), 5.1 (RR, 2.5–4.5) mg/dL; albumin, 4.0 (RR, 3.5~5.2) g/dL; alkaline phosphatase (ALP), 819 (RR, 115–359) U/L; and creatinine, 0.28 (RR, 0.55–1.02) mg/dL. The T-score of lumbar spine bone mineral density assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was −3.8 (L1-4). She was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and osteoporosis. She received propylthiouracil (200 mg/day), short-acting propranolol (20 mg/day) for hyperthyroidism, and denosumab 60 mg, calcium carbonate (250 mg/day), and cholecalciferol (1000 IU/day) for osteoporosis. Seven weeks after taking the medication, the patient complained of numbness and tingling in the hands and feet. Blood tests revealed Ca of 6.8 mg/dL and P of 3.0 mg/dL. Even with continuous calcium and vitamin D supplementation, it worsened to Ca of 5.8 mg/dL and ionized calcium of 0.83 (RR, 1.13–1.32) mmol/L. In the acute phase, the patient was supplemented with calcium intravenously and referred to our hospital. At that time, the blood test results were as follows: Ca, 7.8 mg/dL; P, 3.0 mg/dL; albumin, 4.3 g/dL; ALP, 495 U/L; magnesium, 2.5 (RR, 1.9–2.5) mg/dL; intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), 312 (RR, 15–65) pg/mL; T3, 4.14 ng/mL; free T4, 1.57 ng/dL; TSH, <0.01 mIU/L; osteocalcin, 93.5 (RR, 15–46) ng/mL; C-telopeptide, 0.206 (RR, 0.104–1.008) ng/mL; and 25-hydroxyvitamin D, 21 ng/ml. Active vitamin D was prescribed, and the calcium dose was increased (alfacalcidol 0.5 μg/day and calcium carbonate 3,000 mg/day). After 1 month, medications were switched to calcium carbonate (2500 mg/day) and cholecalciferol (2000 IU/day). The patient’s symptoms improved, and her serum calcium level normalized to 9.5 mg/dL. Her iPTH levels and thyroid function test results were also improving (iPTH, 70.3 pg/mL; T3, 1.56 ng/mL; free T4, 0.88 ng/dL; and TSH, <0.01 mIU/L) (Fig. 1).

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This case report indicates that the risk of denosumab-induced hypocalcemia may be increased in patients with a disease associated with high bone turnover, such as hyperthyroidism. There have been no reports of hypocalcemia with concomitant treatment of hyperthyroidism and osteoporosis with denosumab.

Denosumab inhibits osteoclastic bone resorption and causes an imbalance in osteoclast and osteoblastic activity, leading to hypocalcemia by reducing calcium mobilization from the bone [12]. Some studies have reported that high bone turnover is associated with a higher risk of denosumab-induced hypocalcemia [10, 11, 13]. The underlying mechanism is thought to be that patients dependent on high bone turnover to maintain normocalcemia are more sensitive to bone turnover inhibition by denosumab. It would be helpful to measure baseline bone turnover markers, such as P1NP and C-telopeptide. Both bone resorption markers and bone formation markers decrease when antiresorptive agents are used for osteoporosis, whereas they all increase when anabolic agents are used [14]. Some studies have suggested that there may be a difference in the risk of denosumab-induced hypocalcemia depending on whether antiresorptive agents or anabolic agents are used before denosumab [9, 15]. Pretreatment with anabolic agents increases the risk of denosumab-induced hypocalcemia compared to the use of antiresorptive agents [9].

Persistent increases in thyroid hormones increase osteoclastic resorption and osteoblastic remineralization, resulting in a high bone turnover state called thyrotoxic osteodystrophy [16, 17]. Furthermore, increased beta-adrenergic activity in hyperthyroidism is associated with high bone turnover [18]. Rapid loss of T3 and T4 can affect hypocalcemia development [19]. Although data on baseline bone turnover markers were limited, our patient was considered to be in a high bone turnover state because of her elevated ALP levels. In this patient, the high bone turnover state was sensitive to the inhibitory effect of denosumab on bone resorption, resulting in hypocalcemia, and rapid loss of T3 and T4 would have exacerbated denosumab-induced hypocalcemia. Hence, before using denosumab, it is necessary to confirm the presence of a disease with a high bone turnover status and to actively supplement calcium and vitamin D. Asymptomatic hypocalcemia should also be detected and treated through short-term follow-up because asymptomatic hypocalcemia can cause cardiac arrest or death [20]. Moreover, if diseases with a high bone turnover state, such as hyperthyroidism, are accompanied, it may be important to first stabilize the diseases themselves before performing osteoporosis treatment with potent antiresorptive agents.

In conclusion, we suggest sufficient calcium and vitamin D supplementation and close monitoring when using denosumab in patients with a disease associated with high bone turnover.