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Horm Metab Res 1971; 3(3): 197-202
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1094156
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© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Calcium Metabolism and Tolerance in Thyroid Disease[*]

A. D. Pharmakiotis , P.  Pandos , J.  Sfontouris , G.  Menegas , D. A. Koutras , B.  Malamos
  • Athens University Department of Clinical Therapeutics and Thyroid Section "Alexandra" Hospital, Athens, Greece
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Publication Date:
07 January 2009 (online)

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Abstract

Following an I.V. calcium injection, there was a delayed return of the serum calcium to the basal levels in 17 patients with Graves' disease, 14 patients with simple goiter, and to patients totally thyroidectomized compared to 17 controls. The results in 12 cases of toxic adenoma of the thyroid and seven persons after partial thyroidectomy (mainly lobectomy) did not differ significantly from the normals. Following an I.V. injection of radioactive 47Ca, the slope of the disappearance curve was faster in seven thyrotoxic patients compared to seven controls. An I.V. injection of stable calcium chloride accelerated the slope in the normals but was without effect in the thyrotoxics. It is concluded that in cases with a diffuse disease process in the thyroid, such as Graves' disease or simple goiter, there is a deficient calcitonin release in response to provoked hypercalcemia. Such a deficiency can not be proved in patients with a localized thyroid disease or following the surgical removal of a single thyroid lobe.

Key words

Calcium Tolerance - Thyroid Disease - Calcitonin

1 This work was supported by USPHS Research Grant 07464 from the National Institute of Arthritis and Metabolic Diseases.

1 This work was supported by USPHS Research Grant 07464 from the National Institute of Arthritis and Metabolic Diseases.