Veldscholte K, et al. - In this population-based prospective cohort, researchers examined the connection of thyroid function with bone mass during childhood. An association was found between higher free T4 (FT4) concentration and lower bone mass at the age of 6 and at the age of 10 years. During childhood, this information gives experiences into the impacts of thyroid function on bone physiology.

Methods

• Participants in the study were 4204 children with TSH and free T4 (FT4) measured at the age of 6 years.
• Researchers evaluated bone density by a total body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan at the median age of 6 years (95% range, 5.6 to 7.9) in 4204 and at the age of 10 years (95% range, 9.0 to 10.9) in 3404 study participants.

Results

• Findings suggested no inverse association of TSH with bone mineral content (BMC) at the age of 6 (β −0.028 ± 0.015, P=0.06) or for follow-up measurements of BMC at the age of 10 (β −0.011 ± 0.015, P=0.47).
• However, an inverse association of TSH with bone mineral density (BMD) at the age of 6 (β −0.028 ± 0.011, P=0.009) and with follow-up measurements at the age of 10 (β −0.027 ± 0.011, P=0.014) was found.
• They noted an inverse association of FT4 with BMD (β −0.016 ± 0.006, P=0.014) and BMC (β −0.023 ± 0.009, P=0.009) cross-sectionally, and also at the age of 10 years (BMD: β −0.018 ± 0.007, P=0.007; BMC: β −0.021 ± 0.009, P=0.020).