THE RENAL HANDLING OF PHOSPHATE IN THYROID DISEASE

Abstract

SUMMARY The fasting serum phosphate level, the tubular maximal (Tm) phosphate reabsorption and the mean renal phosphate threshold were measured in 18 hyper- and six hypothyroid patients in comparison with 11 euthyroid control subjects. A significant increase of serum inorganic phosphate, phosphate Tm and of the mean renal phosphate threshold were found in hyperthyroidism. These findings suggest an increased tubular reabsorption of phosphate in hyperthyroidism. Four main possible mechanisms of such a renal handling of phosphate in thyroid disease are briefly mentioned although their acceptance needs more direct proof.