Randomized Study of Human Parathyroid Hormone in Middle-Aged Men With Idiopathic Osteoporosis

PROTOCOL ENTRY CRITERIA: --Disease Characteristics-- Osteoporosis as defined by: Bone mineral density at the lumbar spine or femoral neck that is 2.5 standard deviations below peak bone mass reference value (T score less than -2.5) No family history of male osteoporosis No other metabolic bone disease --Prior/Concurrent Therapy-- Endocrine therapy: No concurrent glucocorticoid therapy No prior steroid use Surgery: No prior gastrointestinal tract surgery Other: No prior or concurrent anticonvulsant therapy --Patient Characteristics-- Hematopoietic: Normal CBC Hepatic: Normal liver function Renal: Normal renal function Other: Normal thyroid function Normal adrenal function Normal gonadal status No myeloma or other malignancy No alcoholism, hypercortisolism or diabetes mellitus No gastrointestinal tract disease or disorder associated with malabsorption