Low TSH levels are not associated with osteoporosis in childhood.
BACKGROUND
A recent study on TSH receptor (TSHR) null mice suggested that skeletal loss occurring in hyperthyroidism is caused by the low TSH rather than high thyroid hormone levels. The aim of this study was to examine whether low TSH results in osteoporosis in the human.


METHODS
We determined bone mineral density (BMD) and markers of bone metabolism in two male siblings aged 9.8 and 6.8 years with isolated TSH deficiency, due to a mutation of the TSH beta-subunit gene. BMD was measured in the lumbar spine (L1-L4) by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Laboratory investigation included the determination of serum calcium, phosphate, 25-hydroxy-vitamin D, parathyroid hormone concentrations, and urine calcium (Ca)/creatinine (Cr) ratio. Osteoblast activity was measured by serum bone alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin levels, and osteoclast activity by urine cross-linked amino-terminal, carboxy-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen and deoxypyridinoline concentrations.


RESULTS
BMD of both patients was within the normal range for age and sex; z-scores were -0.55 and -0.23 for patients 1 and 2 respectively. Serum calcium, phosphate, urine Ca/Cr ratio, and specific markers of bone metabolism were also within normal range.


CONCLUSIONS
In childhood, chronic extremely low TSH levels, in the face of normal thyroid hormone levels, are not related to bone loss.
Papadimitriou
Anastasios
A
Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, Third Department of Pediatrics, Attikon University Hospital, University of Athens, Rinini 1, Haidari, Athens 124 62, Greece. anpapad@med.uoa.gr
Papadimitriou
Dimitrios T
DT
Papadopoulou
Anna
A
Nicolaidou
Polyxeni
P
Fretzayas
Andreas
A
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D015415:Biomarkers; D015519:Bone Density; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000378:metabolism; D002112:Calcifediol / Q000097:blood; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D003404:Creatinine / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000097:blood*; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000097:blood; D010710:Phosphates / Q000097:blood; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood* / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics*
D015415:Biomarkers; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone; D010710:Phosphates; D013972:Thyrotropin; D003404:Creatinine; D002112:Calcifediol; D002118:Calcium