How do glucocorticoids reduce serum calcium in sarcoidosis?

A 46-year-old Afro-Caribbean man with sarcoidosis was found to have hypercalcaemia and was treated with prednisolone 20 mg/day. Within 3 weeks his serum calcium had fallen to within the reference range.

How do glucocorticoids reduce serum calcium in sarcoidosis?
A . direct calcium shift into cells
B . increase intravascular fluid volume
C . promote urinary calcium excretion
D . reduces extrarenal 1-?-hydroxylase activity
E . suppress parathyroid hormone secretion

View Answer

Answer: D