Dramatic Improvement of BMD Following Vitamin D Therapy in a Bone Marrow Transplant Recipient Arekat M.R.[1]; Ang G.[2]; Lemke S.[3]; [4] [1]Department of Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY [2]Department of Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY [3]Department of Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY [4]Department of Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY Abstract: Bone marrow transplantation is now an established successful treatment for several hematologic malignancies. Bone loss is among the long-term adverse effects of this procedure. The underlying pathophysiology is believed to be multifactorial. We report a case of osteoporosis in a young patient who underwent allogenic bone marrow transplantation for acute lymphoblastic leukemia that was complicated by intestinal graft-versus- host disease. Her bone density measurement showed T-scores of ý3.46 and ý2.47 in the lumbar spine and femoral neck respectively. On evaluation, she had low normal serum calcium, low urine calcium, low 25- hydroxyvitamin D, elevated total and bone specific alkaline phosphatases, and elevated parathyroid hormone. Following treatment with calcifediol, the biochemical markers normalized and the bone mineral density increased by 88% in the lumbar spine and almost 60% in the femoral neck, both of which were above the mean for her age group. We believe that the graft-versus-host disease caused a malabsorptive state that led to vitamin D deficiency and possible resistance and consequent osteomalacia. Journal of Clinical Densitometry, September 2002, vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 267-272(6) Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.