Levo/bone loss

[Tbird0063]

Study finds bone density loss associated with levothyroxine

Radiological Society of North America

Nov 25 2024

NewsGuard 100/100 Score

Levothyroxine, the second most commonly prescribed medication among older adults in the U.S., may be associated with bone loss, according to a study being presented next week at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

Levothyroxine, marketed under multiple brand names including Synthroid, is a synthetic version of a hormone called thyroxine and is commonly prescribed to treat the condition hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid. In people with hypothyroidism, the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroxine on its own, often resulting in fatigue, weight gain, hair loss and other symptoms. If left untreated, hypothyroidism can lead to serious and potentially fatal complications.

Approximately 23 million Americans-; about 7% of the U.S. population-; take levothyroxine daily. Sometimes, patients have been taking levothyroxine for many years, but it is not clear why it was initially prescribed or if it is still required.

Data indicates that a significant proportion of thyroid hormone prescriptions may be given to older adults without hypothyroidism, raising concerns about subsequent relative excess of thyroid hormone even when treatment is targeted to reference range goals."

Elena Ghotbi, M.D., study's lead author, postdoctoral research fellow at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland

Though there are some variables, a normal reference range for thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is typically around 0.4 – 5.0 microunits per milliliter. Excess thyroid hormone has been associated with increased bone fracture risk.

[ rest of article removed ]

Other co-authors are Hamsa Ibad, M.B.B.S., and Qian-Li Xue, Ph.D.

Source:

Radiological Society of North America

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Posted in: Medical Science News | Medical Research News | Pharmaceutical News

Tags: Aging, Alcohol, Bone, Education, Endocrinology, Fatigue, Fracture, Hair, Hair Loss, Health Care, Hormone, Hypothyroidism, Medicine, Osteoporosis, pH, Radiology, Research, Running, Smoking, Thyroid

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[helvella Administrator]

Article is here:

Study finds bone density loss associated with levothyroxine

news-medical.net/news/20241...

[RedApple Administrator]

A recent discussion precipitated by a UK newspaper article about the association of bone loss with levothyroxine is here healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[Rapunzel]

Hi Tbird thanks for posting.

Sometimes, patients have been taking levothyroxine for many years, but it is not clear why it was initially prescribed or if it is still required.

Wut? Levothyroxine is prescribed to people with hypothyroidism, with the aim of restoring thyroid hormones to normal levels. That is its solitary purpose and it's a life long medication. If any oldster has their meds stopped, then...

If left untreated, hypothyroidism can lead to serious and potentially fatal complications.

No sh!t, Sherlock...so what are you chatting about - if it is still required?

To me, this smacks of a train of thought to take oldsters off the levo they rely on (I wish I could - cheap as chips and positively pressed into hypos' hands...) and kill them off.

Excess thyroid hormone has been associated with increased bone fracture risk.

Not this old chestnut again.

There is an urgent need for more research and a 'new broom' to sweep these antediluvian assertions away, once and for all.

Elena Ghotbi, M.D., study's lead author; Other co-authors Hamsa Ibad, M.B.B.S., and Qian-Li Xue, Ph.D. - back to the drawing board with you.

Saying this with disbelief, sadness and resignation. A freaking pox on the lot of them.🤬

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to Rapunzel]

They are definitely targeting elderly hypo patients arent they. And I dont know about the US but here in Blighty getting a prescription for Levo is like winning the flaming lottery, and just as unlikely. If you manage to get a doctor to agree you need Levo then you really need it.

As far as I'm aware no doctor prescribes it for the lols, so what's this mystery about " why it was initially prescribed". Do we need to ask Poirot to investigate? There are temporary conditions that can cause hypo but most people on it need it indefinitely.

I dont any drive to see if Diabetics are really Diabetic ( can you fake Diabetes) or if they still need insulin. But they seem intent on pushing as many people off Levo as possible. And sad to see the old myths about loss of bone density prevailing.

[ICE187 in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

In the U.S, doctors usually won't prescribe it until the tsh is at 10 or above. If one will prescribe it just over the range, then hold onto that doctor lol. Years ago, doctors here prescribed it for weight loss.

[Hectorsmum2]

I might be being a bit thick but how can they tell it is the levo causing the lack of bone density and not hypothyroidism (especially if not treated well).

[Piedo]

I ve battled my GP practice since I ve had my thyroid removed in 2012

My TSH has always been suppressed since being on thyroxine but my T4 is always in range last blood test in September it was only 15.5

I’m only on 100 of thyroxine

So I had a dexa scan which showed my bone density was above average for a woman of my age ( 71)

So if doctor nags me again about dropping dosage I will continue to refuse !

Piedo