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