[Bone density after iatrogenic subclinical long-term thyrotoxicosis. Measurement by dual photon absorptiometry]

Thyrotoxicosis may be held responsible for osteoporosis. The question is whether a very slight subclinical hyperthyroidism, as is desirable in the post-operative treatment of differentiated thyroid carcinoma, can in the long run be detrimental to bone tissue. In a series of 37 patients, aged 50.9 +/- 11.1 years, presenting with the features of subclinical hyperthyroidism of 8.0 +/- 4.8 years duration, the authors have been unable to find any change in paraclinical parameters of bone and calcium-phosphate metabolism. Thirty-six of these 37 patients showed no abnormal decrease of vertebral bone density measured by dual photon absorptiometry.