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Hypo and osteopenia

Is hypo related to bone density and osteopenia?
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It seems that the jury is still out as to if Osteopenia and Bone Density, Here is another article:
Osteoporosis is a common condition where the bone becomes thin and fragile, creating an increased risk of fracture. Osteoporosis is usually painless until a fraction takes place, and osteoporosis is a major contributing factor to bone fracture, including hip fractures, which are more common as people age. There are almost 2 million hip fractures annually around the world. While in the U.S., osteoporosis affects an estimated 26 million Americans, and more than 20 million are women, it is vastly undiagnosed. Only 10% of women with osteoporosis are estimated to currently be diagnosed and treated for the condition. Diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of osteoporosis is possible with the use of bone mineral density (BMD) testing and several effective treatments.

The relationship between thyroid disease and osteoporosis is a controversial one. While it's accepted that significant periods of hyperthyroidism have an effect on bone mineral density and can increase the risk of osteoporosis, there is tremendous controversy over whether long-term use of levothyroxine (i.e., Synthroid, Levoxyl) at suppressive or non-suppressive levels increases the risk of osteoporosis.

Thyroid cancer survivors are typically given thyroid hormone at levels that suppress thyroid function and TSH levels almost completely. These would be low or nearly 0.00 TSH levels. Most thyroid cancer patients, however, receive supplemental calcium or calcitonin to reduce any risk of reduced bone density.

Other patients, however, may find that while they feel best in the low end of the TSH range - not suppressed, but at TSH levels in the 1 to 2 range - doctors are reluctant to dose to that level, citing concerns over osteoporosis. Other doctors refuse to consider the use of supplemental T3 thyroid hormone, also citing osteoporosis concerns due to hyperthyroidism induced by the T3.

Whether or not these concerns are valid is a controversy that is not resolved by the research findings, which are contradictory. A search of the medical journal literature shows there is no agreement as to the impact of thyroid hormone treatment on osteoporosis risk.

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Avatar universal
Just to make sure of clarity here, I don't think that the info is saying that hypothyroidism is the direct cause of osteopenia, but instead may occur with people having hypothyroidism and other related issues.

I do know that bone loss, or formation, is affected by the metabolic rate of a person, which is in turn affected by thyroid hormone levels; however changes in bone structure are due to other causes.  You can read about that in this link, where it says, "Thyroid hormone does not cause bone loss, it simply increases metabolism and therefore the rate of the current bone formation or loss. Most older women are losing bone due to their combined sex steroid, DHEA, Vitamin D, and growth hormone deficiencies. The solution is not life-long hypothyroidism, but the correction of their other deficiencies. "

http://hormonerestoration.com/files/ThyroidPMD.pdf
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Avatar universal
Yes, Here is some info:
One symptom that can appear in cases of hypothyroidism is osteopenia. This condition is a situation where a patient's bone mineral density is below the level that is normal. Some professionals think that it is a precursor to the development of osteoporosis, a type of bone disease. Despite this, not all cases of osteopenia lead to that condition.

Causes

Various factors can be behind the development of osteopenia. As mentioned, people with hypothyroidism may have this issue show up. Due to the loss of estrogen, it is relatively common in post-menopausal females. Certain lifestyle factors can also worsen the condition. Some of these including not getting exercise, long-term use of glucocorticoids (like those prescribed for patients with asthma), drinking alcoholic beverages excessively, and smoking.

Best Wishes FTB4

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