Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 29, 2025

Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts
Published on: January 29, 2018
Association between serum hemoglobin level and bone mineral density in adults: Iranian multi-center osteoporosis
Mohammad Amin Khadembashiri1,2, Shahrzad Mohseni2, Amirhossein Aghakhani1
1Osteoporosis Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
The associations between serum hemoglobin (Hb) levels and bone mineral density (BMD) were investigated in population of the 4th Iranian Multicenter Osteoporosis Study (IMOS). A positive relationship between Hb levels and BMD at hip and femoral neck were detected only in men.
The associations between serum hemoglobin (Hb) levels and bone mineral density (BMD) were investigated in population of the 4th Iranian Multicenter Osteoporosis Study (IMOS). A positive relationship between Hb levels and BMD at hip and femoral neck were detected only in men.
Purpose:
Previous studies have investigated the relationship between hemoglobin (Hb) levels and bone mineral density (BMD) with controversial findings. This study aimed to evaluate this association using data from the 4th Iranian Multicenter Osteoporosis Study (IMOS), a population-based national survey, including a population sample aged 50 years and older.
Methods:
The present study was conducted as a cross-sectional data analysis derived from the fourth round of the IMOS. Demographic information, Hb levels, and BMD measurements were collected. BMD was measured with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Low BMD (osteopenia/osteoporosis) and osteoporosis were defined as a T-score less than -1 and less than -2.5 at each site including hip, femoral neck, or lumbar spine, respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between Hb levels and BMD.
Results:
This study included 1,426 participants (54.2% female) with the mean age of 62.6 ± 8.0 years. The mean Hb levels among patients with or without osteoporosis were 12.9 ± 2.0 mg/dl and 13.1 ± 1.9 mg/dl, respectively (p-value = 0.08). It was demonstrated a positive relationship between Hb levels and BMD at hip (β = 0.0079, 95% CI: 0.002- 0.0135, p-value = 0.006) and femoral neck (β = 0.0064, 95% CI: 0.0015- 0.0113, p-value = 0.01) in only men. However, there was no significant correlation between Hb levels with low BMD and osteoporosis in either gender.
Conclusion:
Our findings showed a favorable relationship between Hb levels and BMD at the hip and femoral neck, particularly in men. This highlights gender and site-specific distinctions between hematological and skeletal health..Future studies should unravel these possible associations and investigate the underlying mechanisms.
Related Concept Videos
Bone Disorders
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
Skeleton and Calcium Homeostasis
Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is involved in the process of bone remodeling. Retinoic acid, the active metabolite of Vitamin A, has nuclear receptors in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which are involved in bone remodeling.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor during the formation of osteoblast-related proteins, such as osteocalcin. Vitamin B12 plays a role...
Bone Structure
Hormones and Bone Tissue
Hormones That Influence Osteoblasts and/or Maintain the Matrix
Several hormones are necessary for controlling bone growth and maintaining the bone matrix. The pituitary gland secretes growth hormone (GH), which, as its name implies, controls bone growth. This happens in several ways: first, it triggers chondrocyte...
Essential Minerals for Bone Health
Calcium and Phosphorus
Calcium is a critical component of bones, especially in the form of calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate. Since the body cannot make calcium, it must be obtained from the diet. However, calcium cannot be absorbed from the small intestine without...

