Substitution of calcium carbonate for aluminum hydroxide in patients on hemodialysis. Effects on acidosis, on parathyroid function, and on calcemia.

Substitution of calcium carbonate for aluminum hydroxide in patients on dialysis: effects on acidosis, parathyroid function, and calcemia. We studied the effects of substituting CaCO3 for aluminum-containing gels on metabolic acidosis and on the response of the parathyroid glands in 11 patients treated with chronic hemodialysis. The 8 men and 3 women were clinically stable, were known to be compliant, and had no clinical evidence of aluminum overload; they were not receiving vitamin D supplements; and they had been on dialysis for an average of 65.