Endocrine Abstracts

Thyrotoxicosis has been linked to osteoporosis and increased fracture risk. On the other hand, decreasing serum levels of estrogens in postmenopausal women potentially may increase effect of thyroid hormones on bone tissue. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry is an accurate and precise method of determining BMD, and has been wildly-used for diagnosing osteopenia and osteoporosis. The aim of our study was to study by means of DXA the peculiarities of bone loss in women of different age suffering from thyrotoxicosis.

Material and methods: There were examined 44 Ukrainian women with thyrotoxicosis aged from 25 up to 72 years (mean 50.1±1.9 years), who have a history of disease from 3 months to 20 years (mean 48±8.7 month). All patients receive a methimazole therapy and have a medicinal subcompensation. Subjects were divided into four age groups (25–39 years – 10 patients, 40–49 years – 11 patients, 50–59 years – 12 patients, 60–69 – 11 patients). BMD measurements of the spine (L₁–L₄), proximal femur and radial shaft (33%-site) were determined by DXA using a Prodigy densitometer (GE Medical systems, Lunar). Data were analyzed using Statistica 6.0. ANOVA was used to examine differences among the groups as for different variables.

Results: There were found no differences in BMI and thyrotoxicosis duration between the groups. BMD was decreased in all age groups (total body Z score −0.72±0.19 S.D.; L₁–L₄ Z score −0.76±0.22 S.D.; femur −0.54±0.16 S.D.; −1.54±0.24 S.D.). The most significant loss of bone tissue was observed in radial shaft especially in 60–72 year group (T score −3.84±0.59 S.D.; Z score −2.47±0.56 S.D.; P<0.05).

Conclusion: The most prominent decrease of BMD in females with thyrotoxicosis is observed in radial shaft, especially in aged patients. Thus, it is necessary to perform BMD measurement of radial shaft during DXA examination for thyrotoxic patients.