reply............s

[marceen]

I am taking synthroid (50 mg) for about 15 years.......after doing my own research there is an effect on bone density. I am 77 and fell and broke my wrist and as I looked at my dexa chart, the bone density has gone down and I had osteoporosis. Synthroid can cause this decline (check on the manufacturer's web site).

Also, my endo doc failed to check my PTH and this was a big issue since my parathyroid was causing leaching of calcium from my bones. The parathyroid is not the same as the thyroid despite the naming designation.

This might not answer your question but it is a heads up for everyone. Drugs can change your bone metabolism - specifically your bone density and strength.

I realized that because my PTH was high and my calcium was high, that this was a major problem and the cause was my parathyroid function. My doctor did not diagnose this. Finally I did have "one" parathyroid surgery and feel much better and my bone density is stable (my choice) . I know this is not necessarily your problem but something to be aware of. I had the surgery done by a good specialized hospital (Norman Clinic in Florida) and he was able to test each gland and only take out the bad one.......A special team since protecting your vocal chords is important and also finding the bad one - no general surgeon can jump in because they would just take more out.

My bone density chart is at least not declining and even up abit.

[PurpleNails Administrator]

Was this intended to be a reply to an existing post?

I thought that it’s having either too high or too low a thyroid level which affects bone health.

The right replacement would not cause, but help prevent an issue with bone density but your comment suggests it’s the levothyroxine.

“Drugs can change your bone metabolism - specifically your bone density and strength” or are you referring to another drug?

Can you explain this further?

Most do not have parathyroid hormone routine monitored as doctors view it as a separate issue.

[radd]

marceen,

Yes, thyroid hormones are intrinsically involved in bone health but only negatively when they are deficient or excessive. The right dose of Levothyroxine should have contributed towards keeping your bones healthy, together with optimal nutrients (particularly calcium & Vit D), and weight bearing exercise.

Bone formation is created by osteoblasts and breakdown by osteoclasts, all stimulated by T3. The cartilage tissues are also T3 dependent. Therefore, it's important to ensure you are able to convert enough FT3 from your Levothyroxine. If you have osteoporosis maybe you have the common DIO2 genetic impairment that often disallows conversion of adequate FT3?

A low TSH has long been promoted by the medical establishment to promote osteoporosis but disputed by patients supported by a lack of studies. However, recent research shows a low TSH “may inhibit proliferation and matrix synthesis in the chondrocytes that regulate collagen use in bone and connective tissue". Because T4's use in bone health is more limited than T3, the classic hypo patient not doing well on Levothyroxine with a high FT4, low FT3 and low/suppressed TSH would be at most risk of osteoporosis.