The hypocalcaemic effect of intravenous phosphate administration.

1. Sodium phosphate was infused intravenously over approximately 2+ h and produced a mean linear rise in plasma phosphorus levels of 9.1 mg/100 ml. Twentyone infusions were performed in twelve control subjects and thirty-eight were carried out in thirty-two patients with disorders of calcium and phosphorus metabolism. 2. The fall in plasma calcium under these conditions was related to: a. The initial height of plasma calcium. b. The rate of rise of plasma phosphorus. c. The initial level of plasma phosphorus and the theoretical renal phosphorus