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Bone metabolism during anti‐thyroid drug treatment of endogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism
Author(s) -
Mudde A. H.,
Houben A. J. H. M.,
Kruseman A. C. Nieuwenhuijzen
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
clinical endocrinology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.055
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1365-2265
pISSN - 0300-0664
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2265.1994.tb02571.x
Subject(s) - endocrinology , medicine , subclinical infection , bone remodeling , osteocalcin , hydroxyproline , bone mineral , multinodular goitre , excretion , endogeny , thyroid , osteoporosis , alkaline phosphatase , thyroidectomy , biology , biochemistry , enzyme
Summary OBJECTIVE There is recent evidence that both exogenous and endogenous subclinical thyrotoxicoses are associated with decreased bone mineral density. Scanty information is available on bone metabolism in these conditions when euthyroidism is restored. We evaluated the effect of anti‐thyroid drug treatment on bone metabolism in endogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism. DESIGN Prospective follow‐up study over 2 years during treatment with methimazole, with an untreated control group. SUBJECTS Sixteen post‐menopausal women with endogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism associated with multinodular goitre, eight of whom were treated with methimazole. MEASUREMENTS Serum concentrations of free T4, total T3, TSH, osteocalcin, urinary excretion of hydroxyproline and forearm bone mineral density were measured at regular intervals. RESULTS Significant changes in serum osteocalcin concentration or urinary hydroxyproline excretion were not observed in either group. Distal, but not proximal, forearm bone mineral density, expressed as a percentage of the base‐line value, was significantly ( P < 0.05) higher in the treated than in the untreated subjects in the second year of treatment. CONCLUSION Treatment with methimazole In post‐menopausal women with endogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism associated with multinodular goitre can prevent excessive loss of bone, at least in the distal forearm.