Bone mineralization and calciotropic hormones in children with hyperthyroidism. Effects of methimazole therapy

J Endocrinol Invest. 1990 Jul-Aug;13(7):587-92. doi: 10.1007/BF03348633.

Abstract

We studied bone mineralization and calcium homeostasis in two children with hyperthyroidism before and during 3 yr of methimazole therapy in order to evaluate the effects of thyrotoxicosis and its therapy on mineral metabolism. Case 1, female, 4.1 year old with hyperthyroidism from 6 months. Biochemical data: increased thyroid function, phosphate and osteocalcin, decreased 1,25(OH)2D levels. X-ray: severe osteoporosis; bone mineral content (BMC) -23.0%, BMC/BW -25.1%. Case 2, female, 7.4 year old with hyperthyroidism from 9 months. Biochemical data: thyroid function, ionized calcium and osteocalcin were increased, 1,25(OH)2D and intact PTH were decreased. X-ray: severe osteoporosis: BMC -32.8%, BMC/BW -36.0. After the patients were euthyroid, they showed an increase of 1,25(OH)2D and intact PTH into normal values and a fall in calcium and phosphate. Osteocalcin levels returned in normal range one yr after first evaluation. Bone mineral analysis showed no variation of BMC and BMC/BW in the first 6 months of therapy and an increase in the following 6 months. In the following two years BMC and BMC/BW rose to normal range. Our study provides further evidence that in hyperthyroidism an altered mineral homeostasis is present with a reversible disturbance in vitamin D metabolism. We found that the return to euthyroidism was associated with a normalization of mineral homeostasis and with a recovery of bone mineralization. Osteocalcin assay may be an useful index to monitor bone metabolism in hyperthyroidism.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Absorptiometry, Photon
  • Bone Density / drug effects
  • Bone Density / physiology
  • Bone and Bones / metabolism
  • Calcification, Physiologic / drug effects
  • Calcification, Physiologic / physiology*
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Homeostasis / drug effects
  • Homeostasis / physiology
  • Humans
  • Hyperthyroidism / drug therapy
  • Hyperthyroidism / metabolism
  • Hyperthyroidism / physiopathology*
  • Methimazole / therapeutic use
  • Minerals / metabolism
  • Osteocalcin / metabolism*
  • Radioimmunoassay

Substances

  • Minerals
  • Osteocalcin
  • Methimazole
  • Calcium