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Body Weight and Body Composition Changes after Treatment of Hyperthyroidism¹

Departments of Radiology (L.L.), Endocrinology (K.S., E.N.), and Medicine (L.S., A.-K.L.) and the Wallenberg Laboratory (M.O.), Sahlgrenska University Hospital, University of Goteborg, S-413 45 Goteborg, Sweden

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Dr. Lars Lönn, Department of Radiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, S-413 45 Goteborg, Sweden. E-mail: lars.lonn{at}medfak.gu.se

Body composition changes in nine adults with hyperthyroidism were determined with dual energy x-ray absorptiometry and computed tomography at diagnosis and after 3 and 12 months of euthyroidism achieved by surgery, antithyroid drugs, or treatment with radioiodine. Mean body weight was 67.6 kg at diagnosis and increased 2.7 kg (P = 0.06) and 8.7 kg (P < 0.001) after 3 and 12 months of euthyroidism, respectively. Basal metabolic rate decreased from 2087 Cal/24 h at diagnosis to 1601 Cal/24 h at 12 months (P = 0.001), whereas reported energy intake dropped from 3244 to 2436 Cal/24 h (P = 0.01). According to dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, body fat was unchanged at 3 months, but increased by 5.3 kg (P < 0.0001) at 12 months. Fat-free mass increased 2.7 kg (P = 0.003) at 3 months and 3.5 kg (P < 0.0001) at 12 months. Changes in bone mineral content and density did not reach significance. According to computed tomography, skeletal muscle plus skin areas increased by 11% (trunk) and 18% (thigh) at 3 months and by 17% (trunk) and 25% (thigh) at 12 months. There was no increase in sc adipose tissue (AT) at 3 months, but at 12 months this AT depot increased by 15% (thigh) and 33% (trunk). Intraperitoneal AT showed a borderline significant increase by 28% (P = 0.08) at 3 months and by 40% (P = 0.015) at 12 months. Areas of visceral organs and bone tissue of femur did not change significantly during the study. It is concluded that during early recovery from hyperthyroidism, priority is given to the replenishment of skeletal muscles and ip AT, whereas sc AT is increased at a later stage.

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