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TSH and Bone Loss
Author(s) -
SUN LI,
DAVIES TERRY F.,
BLAIR HARRY C.,
ABE ETSUKO,
ZAIDI MONE
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1196/annals.1346.033
Subject(s) - endocrinology , medicine , bone resorption , osteoporosis , bone remodeling , osteoclast , hormone , thyroid , haploinsufficiency , resorption , thyroid function , receptor , biology , phenotype , biochemistry , gene
We have recently challenged the view that the bone loss associated with hyperthyroidism is solely due to elevated thyroid hormone levels. We find that thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH), derived from the anterior pituitary gland, inhibits bone resorption by the osteoclast. Mice haploinsufficient in the TSH receptor show reduced bone density and evidence of enhanced bone resorption in the face of normal thyroid function. In humans, TSH inhibits markers of bone resorption with a single administration, and low TSH levels correlate with increased fracture risk. The evidence that low TSH levels predispose to osteoporosis in hyperthyroidism is discussed in view of the emerging role of pituitary hormones in bone biology.