To print: Select File and then Print from your browser's menu --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Title: DG DISPATCH - WCO: Thyroid Supplementation Does Not Increase Osteoporosis Risk URL: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/1D62E2.htm Doctor's Guide June 17, 2000
By W. A. Thomasson, PhD Special to DG News
CHICAGO, IL -- June 17, 2000 -- Hyperthyroidism is known to be associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis and fracture. This has led to concerns that therapeutic thyroxin supplementation might also elevate osteoporosis risk.
Results presented yesterday (June 16) at the World Congress on Osteoporosis, by Dr. Martin Stenstrom of the University of Gothenburg in Gothenburg, Sweden, however, suggest those concerns can be laid to rest.
The study examined thyroxin supplementation, bone mineral density (BMD) and fracture history in a cohort of women reporting for screening mammography, which is available at 18-month intervals to all Swedish women aged 49 to 69 years.
A total of 10,364 subjects were enrolled, of whom 768 were currently on thyroxin medication. BMD was measured in the non-dominant forearm and the women were asked about medication use, lifestyle factors affecting fracture risk, and earlier fractures.
There was no significant difference in BMD between women who were and those who were not taking thyroxin during the study. There was, however, a significant difference (21 percent versus 16 percent) in the frequency of earlier fractures. This could be related to a significantly greater proportion of the thyroxin-treated women having at some time been treated with cortisone (7 percent versus 3 percent).
Thyroxin-treated women were also more likely to be taking anti-hypertensive medication and to be ex-smokers, but were less likely to be thin.
To help further explain the fracture data, the researchers are currently gathering additional data on these same women three years later. Of particular interest is a complete medical history, with special emphasis on ascertaining the proportion of women whose current need for thyroxin supplementation derives from previous treatment for hyperthyroidism.
Meanwhile, it appears that physicians can comfortably prescribe thyroxin treatment without worrying about effects on BMD. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright © 1999 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of P\S\L content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of P\S\L. P\S\L shall not be liable for any errors, omissions or delays in this content or any other content on its sites, newsletters or other publications, nor for any decisions or actions taken in reliance on such content. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This news story was printed from *Doctor's Guide to the Internet* located at http://www.docguide.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to News Story Page This site is maintained by webmaster@pslgroup.com Please contact us with any comments, problems or bugs. All contents Copyright (c) 1998 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved.