Effect of 1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 on serum levels of thyroid hormones in hyperthyroid patients with untreated Graves' disease.

We performed a randomized, open prospective study to determine the effect of 1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 [1 alpha (OH)D3] on hyperthyroidism in patients with untreated Graves' disease. At the time of entry into the study, 30 patients were randomly assigned to receive a daily dose of 30 mg methimazole (MMI) (group A, n = 15) or the same dose of MMI supplemented with 1.5 micrograms 1 alpha (OH)D3 (group B, n = 15). These treatment regimens were continued for 24 weeks, and physicians were allowed to adjust MMI dosage during follow-up visits. Blood samples were collected, and serum concentrations of free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), T3, T4, thyrotropin (TSH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and TSH-receptor antibody (TRAb) were determined. During the follow-up periods, all patients became euthyroid. The dose of MMI was not significantly different between these two groups. In contrast, decreases in mean serum FT3 and FT4 levels, as well as in mean serum T3 and T4 levels, were greater in group B. Correspondingly, the reciprocal increase in the mean TSH level was more prominent in group B. Mean TRAb levels did not differ between the two groups. Mean serum ALP levels in group B were significantly lower than in group A at 24 weeks. Thus, we suggest that concomitant administration of 1 alpha (OH)D3 is useful for treating hyperthyroidism in patients with Graves' disease.