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Calcium and bone health
A practice question in the style of the MCCQE MCQ exam. Choose your answer to see the explanation.
A 50-year-old woman has hypercalcemia with a suppressed PTH, bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy and erythema nodosum. What is the most likely mechanism?
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The answer is A: Granulomas making active vitamin D.
Sarcoid granulomas convert vitamin D to its active form (calcitriol) independently of PTH, increasing calcium absorption. Treatment includes reducing vitamin D and sun exposure, and corticosteroids for significant hypercalcemia.
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