Plasma calcium in active pulmonary tuberculosis.

Fifty-two patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis were studied. Seventy percent of the patients were hypocalcemic at admission, but became normocalcemic after ten weeks of therapy. The improvement in hypocalcemia was thought to be due to either improved serum protein and albumin levels, which occurred after admission, or the reduced physical activity of the patients.Care should be taken in giving patients with pulmonary tuberculosis vitamin D supplements because of the possibility of hypersensitivity to vitamin D.The possible mechanisms of hypercalcemia in active pulmonary tuberculosis are discussed.