Clinical and biochemical efficacy of diltiazem in hyperthyroidism

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the effect of diltiazem on the adrenergic manifestations of hyperthyroidism and thyroid function tests. This prospective, interventional study included 19 newly diagnosed patients [16 females, 3 males with mean age of 35.31 + 10.36 years] of hyperthyroidism attending the out patient department of Institute of Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine, Peshawar. All patients took diltiazem 30 mg three times a day for 6 weeks. Clinical assessment was done before starting therapy and then serially after 1, 2, 4 and 6 weeks [+3 days] using standardized and modified hyperthyroid symptom score. Serum free T4 measurements were done before starting diltiazem and then serially after 2, 4 and 6 weeks [+3 days] of therapy. Following therapy with diltiazem the hyperthyroid system score decreased significantly at 1, 2, 4 and 6 weeks of therapy. With individual values dropping from 14.42 to 12.89 pmol/L after 1week [P < 0.05], to 11.21, 10.78 and 10.26 pmol/L after 2, 4 and 6 weeks, respectively [P < 0.001]. Serum free T4 decreased from 33.29 pmol/L to 32.77, 31.86 and 31.50 pmol/L after 2, 4 and 6 weeks [P > 0.05]. Diltiazem effectively controls the clinical manifestations of hyperthyroidism. It also causes some decline in free thyroxine levels