Effect of thyroid hormone on bone: Someone might... - Thyroid UK

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Effect of thyroid hormone on bone

Nanaedake profile image
28 Replies

Someone might have already posted this but it looks interesting if someone can make sense of it. What does it mean for people with hypothryoidism?

frontiersin.org/articles/10...

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Nanaedake profile image
Nanaedake
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28 Replies
Treepie profile image
Treepie

Er yes! Bone health : T4 bad T3 good? Or ..........

diogenes profile image
diogenesRemembering

The study is aimed at discovering the effect of TSH on bone resorption (weakening by loss of calcium). The present paradigm is that suppressing TSH will promote bone weakening and loss. (osteoporosis/fractures). But look at this sentence in the artivcle:

Mouse studies have clearly shown that there is in vivo osteoprotective activity associated with the TSHR itself even when pituitary TSH is suppressed by EXCESSIVE THYROID HORMONE (11). These data indicate that either the intrinsic, constitutive, activity of the TSHR itself is able to provide the protection in the absence of TSH ligand or raised the possibility of a local TSHR stimulator being available to maintain TSHR signaling in the absence of pituitary TSH. This possibility prompted us to search for other isoform (s) of the TSH molecule in bone.

Explanation: TSHR is the protein receptor in cells that binds TSH. This shows that the receptor itself rather than TSH is protective of bone loss. Either the receptor or something unknown that attaches to and stimulates the receptor (other than TSH) seems to be protective. This shows that suppressed TSH by itself is not the culprit, but a failure of the receptor TSHR to act in some circumstances. This argues against the potential adverse effects of low TSH on this activity.

Well it is an interesting article.

I have a suppressed TSH determined by my Thyroid Surgeon. I do exercise every day, walk, weight lifting twice a week and bone breathing. Bone breathing helps increase bone marrow. I live in hopes that my bones keep holding me up, who knows?

humanbean profile image
humanbean in reply to

What is bone breathing? I've never heard of it!

in reply to humanbean

It's a ancient form from the Taoist Monks in China. You can goggle it on youtube I try to practice it every morning.

It consists of mostly meditation together with breathing.

Panda_26 profile image
Panda_26

Can you tell me more about bone breathing ? Unfortunately I've just found out I've ostapaenia caused by long term over replacement , suppressed tsh etc . (had cancer & thyroidectomy in 2003) Endo have lowered my dose to try to save my bones from extra damage. So frustrating when I've always looked after myself , walk and exercise etc every day ...... :-(

SilverAvocado profile image
SilverAvocado in reply to Panda_26

I have a vague memory that ostapaenia has been discussed on the forum before as a bit of a fantasy - you may be diagnosed with it even if your bone density is as good as ever. You may just qualify because of your age or other factors. I can't remember any more details, but it may be worth doing some more digging.

Panda_26 profile image
Panda_26 in reply to SilverAvocado

Thanks , I def will !

I'm inclined to believe it though as it was based on the fact that I've lost over 4% bone density in the last 18 months according to a dexa bone scan.

Obviously I was worried to hear that and have been researching ever since looking for ways to halt it as much as I can .

I'll certainly take this piece of info to thyroid clinic next time to see what they make of it !

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to SilverAvocado

Yes, I posted an article on that, ages ago. :)

Nanaedake profile image
Nanaedake in reply to greygoose

An article on bones or prunes??

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to Nanaedake

lol Osteopenia! lol Is it a real thing or just another way for Big Pharma to make money. :D

Nanaedake profile image
Nanaedake in reply to greygoose

Hmmmm, might be cheaper to eat the prunes haha.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to Nanaedake

lol

moyramm profile image
moyramm in reply to greygoose

Hi Greygoose, I was told by a locum GP that the test they use to diagnose Osteopenia / Osteoporosis is based on the bones of a 25yrs old so anyone around middleage or older will probably show signs of bone loss

I can not take the traditional medication for this but use a homopathic remady that seems to be working for me

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to moyramm

Exactly! I know that's what they do. And it's pretty stupid of them.

It's good for you that you can't take the traditional medication because it's horrendous stuff, and messes you up in other ways. But I don't know how much effect a homopathic remedy will have. Just makes sure that all your nutrients are optimal - especially magnesium - which is more important to bones than calcium.

moyramm profile image
moyramm in reply to greygoose

Thank you greygoose. I take supplements to make sure my nutrients are optimal.My last bone scan showed no improvement but it was no worse.I have taken the hoemopatic remedy for 18 months so was pleased to get this result.My homeopathy said by the next scan there should be

an improvement

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to moyramm

Well, let us know if there is. :)

moyramm profile image
moyramm in reply to greygoose

Thank you greygoose I will let you know

Nanaedake profile image
Nanaedake in reply to Panda_26

According to the programme on TV the other evening, eating 5 prunes a day helps to prevent osteoporosis. Not sure why.

ITYFIALMCTT profile image
ITYFIALMCTT in reply to Nanaedake

The boron content - there are various clinical trials involving eating prunes and osteoporosis :)

Angel_of_the_North profile image
Angel_of_the_North in reply to Panda_26

But that article suggests that suppressed TSH (on its own) doesn't cause ostapaenia, so reducing your dose won't have helped anything.

Panda_26 profile image
Panda_26 in reply to Angel_of_the_North

Hmm , maybe not then - so frustrating !

Nanaedake profile image
Nanaedake in reply to Panda_26

I would have thought the most important thing is to make sure thyroid replacement is optimal so FT3 and FT4 need to be near top of the range. It looks as though plenty of T3 is not a problem because there is some mechanism that protects bone if you have too much. Perhaps we should print it off for our Docs when they try to reduce doses.

I'm interested in whether not having enough T3 might actually trigger some kinds of bone disease. So osteoarthritis for example. Perhaps we need a plentiful and maybe even overabundance of T3 to prevent these kinds of things?? As soon as my levothyroxine began to fail I got osteoarthritis in my fingers and it doesn't run in the family.

in reply to Panda_26

It's very frustrating I have always looked after myself too. Go on youtube and tap in Bone Breathing. It's and ancient form of practice from Chinese Taoist monks.

It consists mostly of meditation and breathing together very easy and not to difficult I do it most days.

It is good for the bone marrow i.e. the bones.

Panda_26 profile image
Panda_26 in reply to

Well it's definitely worth a go I guess !

I'm into meditation so will prob enjoy it . Thanks for the suggestion ! 😊

blondpalomino profile image
blondpalomino in reply to Panda_26

I have osteopoenia too. My Endo tried to tell me that it was caused by my suppressed TSH, and taking T3,until I told her that both my Mum and Sister have osteoporosis but don't take thyroid meds! She then agreed it was genetic in my case!

Panda_26 profile image
Panda_26 in reply to blondpalomino

Interesting , I guess all this has got me thinking that contrary to what I've been led to believe , my thyroid meds may have nothing to do with this & it could be more a genetic predisposition !

Beggerdy profile image
Beggerdy

Thank you for this

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