European journal of clinical investigation
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Jan 2003
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialDose-effect relations of loop- and thiazide-diuretics on calcium homeostasis: a randomized, double-blinded Latin-square multiple cross-over study in postmenopausal osteopenic women.
Thiazide diuretics (TDs) reduce whereas loop diuretics (LDs) increase urinary calcium. We studied the effects of different doses of a TD and LD on electrolytes, calcitropic hormones and biochemical bone markers. ⋯ Whether a LD or TD is chosen as diuretic therapy affects calcium homeostasis. The effects of LDs are potentially harmful to bone. Further studies are needed to evaluate whether long-term treatment with LDs causes osteoporosis. Until then, we suggest using, if possible, a TD rather than a LD as diuretic therapy in order not to risk deleterious effects on bone metabolism.