What is Mineral Metabolism?

Minerals make up a large portion of our body and are constantly and actively turned over (metabolism). They are essential for a variety of functions of cells, tissues, and organs. Disturbances of these normal processes result in diseases of mineral metabolism. These disorders can be caused by too little or too many minerals, minerals not being turned over at the appropriate speed, and minerals ending up in the wrong places. Considerable expertise is required to diagnose and treat these disorders and that is often best done in centers where cutting-edge research is being conducted.

Diseases of Mineral Metabolism

Common diseases

• Kidney stone disease

• Osteoporosis

• Bone complications in kidney disease

• Parathyroid disease (hyperparathyroidism and hypoparathyroidism)

• Cancer-related bone disease

Uncommon diseases

• Hypercalcemia and hypocalcemia

• Hypermagnesemia and hypomagnesemia

• Hyperphosphatemia and hypophosphatemia

• Hypophosphatasia

• Osteomalacia

• Paget’s disease

• Nephrocalcinosis

• Osteogenesis imperfecta

• Distal renal tubular acidosis

• Proximal renal tubular acidosis

• Bartter’s syndrome

• Gitelman’s syndrome

• Dent’s disease

• Renal phosphate wasting

• Fanconi’s syndrome

• Cushing’s disease

• Addison’s disease