Hypothyroidism associated with low bone density among women, finds study

In Cross-sectional control study, researchers found that in radius bone, the total (mean 14.6 ± 29.3% ) and trabecular bone areas (19.8 ± 37.1%) were higher in hypothyroid patients when compared with the controls and the cortical volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) were lower (−2.2 ± 6.5%) in hypothyroid patients than in controls.

They noted all indices of tibia cortical and trabecular vBMD, microarchitecture, and estimated bone strength were similar between groups, even for hip and spine areal BMD (aBMD).

In Prospective study, they found mean cortical (−0.9 ± 1.8%) and trabecular (−1.5 ± 4.6%) vBMD of radius were decreased, and cortical porosity was increased by 18.9 ± 32.7%.

In the tibia they noted, mean total vBMD (−1.1 ± 1.9%) and cortical vBMD (−0.8 ± 1.4%) were decreased, while cortical porosity (8.2 ± 11.5%) and trabecular area (0.2 ± 0.6%) were increased.

They found no changes in FEA and they also recorded a decrease aBMD (−1.3 ± 3.0%) of the lumbar spine.

The authors concluded, "Hypothyroidism was associated with an increased trabecular bone area and a lower mineral density of cortical bone in the radius, as assessed by HR-pQCT. Restoration of euthyroidism mainly increased cortical porosity, while estimated bone strength was unaffected".

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12020-020-02398-y