SERUM CONCENTRATIONS OF OSTEOCALCIN IN PREGNANT-WOMEN WITH MULTINODULAR THYROID GOITER UNDERGOING TREATMENT WITH LEVOTHYROXINE

In this study we measured serum osteocalcin (Bone Gla-Protein) to inve stigate bone metabolism in pregnant women with multinodular thyroid go iter undergoing treatment with levothyroxine (L-T4). Serum concentrati on of BGP was measured in 18 pregnant women and in 20 non-pregnant wom en (ages raging from 21-34 years) receiving L-T-4 (75-125 mu g/day). V enous blood samples for RIA determination of serum BGP, plasma thyroid hormone (T-3, T-4, free T-3, free T-4 and TSH were collected from the two groups. The samples of the pregnant women group were collected be fore pregnancy (at the moment the disease was diagnosed without L-T-4 therapy) during pregnancy (at the 3rd, 6th and 9th month) and one mont h after delivery. The normal TSH levels (measured with Irma method) be fore pregnancy, were significantly reduced during treatment with L-T-4 during pregnancy and after delivery (p<0.005), respectively. Also in the control group TSH levels were reduced during treatment. Serial mea surement of serum BGP before pregnancy, (3.4 +/- 1 ng/ml) during pregn ancy (3rd: 4.2 +/- 1.5 ng/ml; 6th: 4.2 +/- 1.4 ng/ml; 9th: 2.8 +/- 1.6 ng ml, month respectively) and one month after delivery (3.5 +/- 1.3 ng/ml) did not demonstrate significant variations. Furthermore, in the control group the BGP levels were 3.2 +/- 1,7 ng/ml. There was no cor relation between BGP, thyroid hormones and TSH in these groups. These data indicate that the administration of moderate doses of L-T-4 in pr egnant and in non-pregnant women did not modify the serum BGP levels.