Does total thyroidectomy induce metabolic bone disturbance?

Bone mineral content of 38 thyroidectomized patients with well differentiated thyroid carcinoma were determined. Seventeen patients were totally thyroidectomized and 21 patients were non-totally thyroidectomized (lobectomy). Thirty-eight healthy males and females were served as age-matched controls. Trabecular bone mineral content of lumbar vertebra was evaluated by quantitative CT method. Bone metabolic parameters in serum were measured. No significant differences were observed in the mean bone mineral content and BMC-index of totally thyroidectomized patients compared with non-totally thyroidectomized patients and control. Serum calcitonin level was not reduced in totally thyroidectomized. It is concluded that after total thyroidectomy, bone metabolic disturbance was not significant, and that when calcitonin remained at its basal level, it had no effects on bone metabolism.