[Significance of ultrasound bone measurement in diagnosis of hyperthyroidism]

To evaluate the role of ultrasound in bone density measurement in patients with hyperthyroidism.

The speed of sound (SOS) through distal radius and midshaft tibia of 118 patients with hyperthyroidism 138 males and 80 females, aged 20 approximately 73, were measured with ultrasonic apparatus, the bone mass density (BMD) was measured at the lumbar spine and proximal femur with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, the serum levels of total thyroxine (TT(4)), total triiodothyronine (TT(3)), free thyroxine (FT(4)), free triiodothyronine (FT(3)), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were measured by radioimmunoassay, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was measured by routine method.

The SOS of the patients with hyperthyroidism was significantly lower than that of the healthy subjects (P < 0.05). A strong positive correlation was found between SOS and BMD. The prevalence of SOS (Z < -1, Z < -2.5) through distal radius and midshaft tibia was significantly higher than that of BMD (Z < -1, Z < -2.5) at lumbar spine and proximal femur in the patients with hyperthyroidism. A negative linear correlation was found between SOS and ALP.

SOS may be one of the significant markers for abnormal bone metabolism for hyperthyroidism.