Table 47.2—Typical Laboratory Results in the Differential Diagnosis of Hypercalcemia

 

 

Laboratory Test

 

Primary Hyperparathyroidism

Humoral Hypercalcemia of Malignancy

 

Local Osteolytic Hypercalcemia

Serum calcium

↑ or ↑↑

↑ or ↑↑

Serum phosphate

↓ or low-normal

Urine calcium

Parathyroid hormone

↓↓

↓↓

Parathyroid hormone-related peptide

0

0

NOTE: The diagnosis of malignancy-related hypercalcemia is normally straightforward, and extensive diagnostic testing is rarely required. ↑ = increased; ↓ = decreased; ↑↑ = markedly increased; ↓↓ = markedly decreased; 0 = undetectable.