RSNA

RSNA 2024: Thyroid medication tied to increased bone loss in seniors

November 26, 2024

Study Design: This prospective cohort study utilized data from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging, focusing on community-dwelling older adults. Researchers included participants ≥65 years with normal thyroid function who had ≥2 visits and consistent thyroid function tests. The study compared bone density changes over time between levothyroxine users and non-users, accounting for various risk factors through propensity score matching.

Results: The study included 81 levothyroxine users and 364 non-users, with a median age of 73. Levothyroxine use was associated with greater loss of total body bone mass and bone density over a median follow-up of 6.3 years, even when thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were within the normal range. This association remained significant after adjusting for baseline TSH and other risk factors. The results were shared at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

Impact on Clinical Practice: The findings suggest that levothyroxine use in older adults, even within normal TSH ranges, may contribute to increased bone loss. Physicians should regularly monitor bone density and reassess the necessity of levothyroxine therapy in this population to mitigate potential adverse effects.

Source:

Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). (2024, November 25). Common Thyroid Medicine Linked to Bone Loss. [Press release]. https://press.rsna.org/timssnet/media/pressreleases/14_pr_target.cfm?ID=2538