[The influence of thyrotoxicosis and thyroxine therapy on the risk of osteoporosis]

The review presents data from literature on the influence of endogenous and exogenous thyroid hormones on the activity of bone resorption and formation followed by enhanced bone loss and risk of osteoporosis. Thyroid hormones represent commonly prescribed medicines, often are used without control of their effects, especially in older patients at risk of fractures due to osteoporosis. The fracture risk increases in cases of untreated thyrotoxicosis, when administered suppressive doses of thyroxine, in postmenopausal women and patients with low peak bone mass. Fractures are more likely in parts of skeleton with cortical bone predominance e.g. distal forearm and hip.