The effects of thyrotropin-suppressive therapy on bone metabolism in patients with well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma

Abstract

Patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) are commonly treated long-term with thyrotropin (TSH)- suppressive thyroxine replacement therapy resolving in a state of subclinical hyperthyroidism. The relationship between subclinical hyperthyroidism and osteoporosis is not clear. In this review, we systematically selected and analyzed 21 studies addressing this issue. Although multiple methodological differences between studies prevented a structured meta-analysis, our data suggest that postmenopausal women with subclinical hyperthyroidism are most at risk, whereas no increased risk was observed in men and premenopausal women. Based on these findings we believe that measurement of bone mineral density is recommended in postmenopausal women with DTC starting TSH suppressive therapy. This should be subsequently regularly measured to enable timely intervention with bone protective agents.