glucocorticoid suppression test in hypercalcaemia
Last reviewed 01/2018
A glucocorticoid suppression test consists of ten days of 40 mg hydrocortisone eight hourly. A fasting plasma sample is taken for calcium before and after the test.
Common causes of hypercalcaemia which corrects after the glucocorticoid suppression test include:
- malignant disease (about 50% of cases)
- sarcoidosis
- vitamin D toxicity
- thyrotoxicosis
Common causes of hypercalcaemic which does not correct after the glucocorticoid suppression test include:
- malignant disease
- primary hyperparathyroidism