Effects of calcitonin therapy on osteoporosis in patients with thalassemia.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of calcitonin (CT) treatment on bone pain, osteoporosis, bone fractures and blood chemistry in thalassemic patients. Twenty-four patients with an age range of 10-24 years were included, 14 of whom received 100 IU CT and 250 mg calcium 3 times a week. The others (n = 10) were followed up as a control group with only routine thalassemia therapy. After 1 year of treatment, bone pain disappeared and radiological signs of osteoporosis had improved significantly (p < 0.01) in the treatment group. CT has no important side effects.