Keep your lab values balanced

If you have secondary HPT, it is important to watch your lab values. There are many important laboratory values. Three key lab values that you should watch are:

Parathyroid hormone(PTH)—PTH is made by four small glands in your neck called parathyroid glands. PTH is often high in people on dialysis. Controlling PTH helps maintain normal calcium and phosphorus levels.^1-3
Calcium(Ca)—Calcium does more than just keep bones strong. Maintaining calcium within normal levels may also keep muscles, heart, and blood vessels healthy.⁴
Phosphorus(P)—When you have kidney disease, your body may not be able to get rid of phosphorus. High phosphorus levels can be harmful.⁵

Your health care team will take regular blood tests to check to see if these lab values are balanced. Ask your health care team about your lab results, and work with your health care team to track your results.

Talk to your health care team about how to keep your lab values in balance. You can work together to create goals that are right for you.

Sensipar^® is indicated for the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on dialysis.

Important Safety Information

Sensipar^® treatment should not be started if you have low calcium levels. Ask your doctor about the normal ranges.
Before starting Sensipar^®, tell your doctor if you are taking medication to prevent seizures or have had seizures in the past. Report any seizure episodes while on Sensipar^® therapy.
Very infrequent cases of low blood pressure, worsening heart failure, and/or abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia) have been reported in patients with impaired heart function taking Sensipar^®.
While on Sensipar^®, your doctor should perform repeated blood tests to monitor calcium, phosphorus, and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels. Very low and very high levels of PTH should be avoided to help maintain bone health. Very low levels (iPTH < 100 pg/mL) of PTH may cause a condition your doctor may refer to as adynamic bone disease.
Patients with moderate to severe liver impairment should be monitored throughout treatment with Sensipar^®.
Tell your doctor if you experience any muscle spasms, aches or cramping, tingling in your limbs, or seizures.
In clinical trials, the most common side effects reported in patients were nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. If you have any questions about this information, be sure to discuss them with your doctor.

References

Bringhurst FR, Demay MB, Kronenberg HM. Hormones and disorders of mineral metabolism: basic biology of mineral metabolism. In: Kronenberg HM, Melmed S, Polonsky KS, Larsen PR, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:1203-1223.
Lorenzo JA, Canalis E, Raisz LG. Metabolic bone disease: hyperparathyroid bone disease. In: Kronenberg HM, Melmed S, Polonsky KS, Larsen PR, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:1293-1294.
Moe SM, Drüeke TB. Management of secondary hyperparathyroidism: the importance and the challenge of controlling parathyroid hormone levels without elevating calcium, phosphorus, and calcium-phosphorus product.
Dorland’s Illustrated Medical Dictionary. 30th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2003:271.
Pollak MR, Yu ASL, Taylor EN. Disorders of calcium, magnesium, and phosphate balance: disorders of phosphate homeostasis. In: Brenner BM, Levine SA, eds. Brenner & Rector's The Kidney. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:602-604.

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