Table 3:
Selected Laboratory Tests for
Secondary Causes of Osteoporosis
Cause Appropriate Tests

Hyperparathyroidism

Intact PTH
Serum Calcium
Hyperthyroidism TSH
T4 and FT1
T3
Hypogonadism Testosterone in men
Estradiol in females
LH and FSH
Osteomalacia 25-hydroxyvitamin D
Cushing's syndrome 24-hour free urinary cortisol
Dexamethasone suppression test
Renal disease Serum creatinine
Glomerular filtration
Liver disease Liver function test
Malabsorption 24-hour urinary calcium excretion
Serum albumin level
Serum calcium
Serum carotene
Multiple myeloma Serum protein electrophoresis
Urine for Bence-Jones proteinuria
Serum calcium
Intact PTH
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
Hemochromatosis Serum iron panel
Hyperprolactinemia Serum prolactin
Acromegaly Serum IGF-1
Renal tubulopathy Urinalysis including pH
Acid-base studies
Urine calcium, phosphorus, amino acid, and glucose
Mastocytosis Serum tryptase
Urine N-methylhistamine
Iliac bone biopsy with double tetracycline labeling
 
Copyright 2002 The Cleveland Clinic Foundation

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