Evaluating Sclerostin as a Biomarker for Bone Health in Hyperthyroidism: A Clinical and Hormonal Correlation Study

Hyperthyroidism disrupts bone metabolism, leading to increased bone turnover and potential loss of bone mineral density. Sclerostin, a key regulator of bone formation, may serve as a useful biomarker reflecting skeletal changes in thyroid dysfunction.

To evaluate serum sclerostin levels in patients with hyperthyroidism and examine their correlation with thyroid hormone parameters-free triiodothyronine (fT₃), free thyroxine (fT₄), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).

A case-control study was conducted at ACPM Medical College and Hospital, enrolling 30 hyperthyroid patients (including subclinical cases) and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Serum levels of sclerostin and thyroid hormones were measured using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Analysis of variance was used to compare sclerostin levels between groups, and Pearson correlation analysis assessed relationships between sclerostin and thyroid hormones.

Hyperthyroid patients exhibited lower mean serum sclerostin levels (1.2 ng/mL) compared to healthy controls (1.5 ng/mL), although the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.48). Sclerostin showed a significant negative correlation with fT₃ (r = -0.45, P < 0.001) and fT₄ (r = -0.38, P = 0.002), and a positive correlation with TSH (r = 0.50, P < 0.001).

Serum sclerostin levels are significantly associated with thyroid hormone status in hyperthyroid individuals. These findings suggest that sclerostin may serve as a potential biomarker for monitoring bone health in thyroid dysfunction. Further large-scale, longitudinal studies are warranted to confirm its diagnostic and prognostic utility.