Effect of endogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism on bone metabolism and bone mineral density in premenopausal women.

In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated 15 premenopausal women to elucidate whether bone turnover is increased and bone mineral density is reduced due to endogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism. Each patient had normal free thyroxine (FT4) and free triiodothyronine (FT3) levels associated with a stable suppression (<0.1 mU/L) of serum thyrotropin (TSH) levels during a period ranging between 6 and 11 months. Metabolic parameters of bone turnover (serum osteocalcin, bone specific alkaline phosphatase, procollagen I C-terminal peptide reflecting bone formation; urinary deoxypyridinoline and calcium excretion reflecting bone resorption) were assessed. Bone mineral density was measured at lumbar 1-4 vertebrae, femoral neck, and the forearm (midshaft radius and distal radius) by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. All measurements were compared with 15 healthy age-, height-, and weight-matched premenopausal women who served as control group. Our findings suggest that endogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism is not associated with increased bone turnover, and bone mineral density is not reduced in premenopausal women, at least in the short term.