Are you at risk? The surprising bone loss link with this popular drug for seniors!
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As we age, our bodies undergo a myriad of changes, and managing our health becomes a more intricate dance with each passing year. Medications that promise to alleviate one condition can sometimes cast a shadow on another aspect of our well-being.
It’s important for us to be aware about the risks associated with the medications that we take–especially when it can cost us something as big as our bones. The delicate balance between health and harm is at the heart of a recent discovery that has raised eyebrows in the medical community.
A study from Johns Hopkins Medicine has revealed a concerning connection between levothyroxine, the second most commonly prescribed drug for older adults, and an increased risk of bone loss.
Levothyroxine (also marketed as Synthroid), a synthetic form of the thyroid hormone used to treat hypothyroidism, has been a staple in many seniors' medicine cabinets. It’s usually prescribed among older adults in the US, with around 7% of the population taking it.
However, the study's findings suggest that its use, even among those with normal thyroid function, could be chipping away at their bone health over time. Researchers compared the bone health of 81 levothyroxine users with 364 non-users, with participants mostly in their early 70s.
Over six years, those taking levothyroxine experienced a more significant loss of bone mass and bone density. “Our study suggests that even when following current guidelines, levothyroxine use appears to be associated with greater bone loss in older adults,” explained Dr. Shadpour Demehri, co-senior study author and professor of radiology at Johns Hopkins.
Meanwhile, the creators of Synthroid admit that taking too much levothyroxine may lead to heightened bone loss, particularly in post-menopausal women. This loss of bone mineral density and bone mass is known as osteoporosis. Around 10 million Americans aged 50 and older are affected by this disease that causes bones to become weak and become more likely to break.
The study also uncovered a puzzling trend: some patients were prescribed levothyroxine without clear indications of hypothyroidism.
“Data indicates that a significant proportion of thyroid hormone prescriptions may be given to older adults without hypothyroidism, raising concerns about subsequent relative excess of thyroid hormone even when treatment is targeted to reference range goals,” said Dr. Elena Ghotbi, the study’s lead author and a postdoctoral research fellow at Johns Hopkins.
It's important to note that hypothyroidism itself is not a condition to be taken lightly. Untreated, it can lead to severe and potentially fatal complications.
Symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, and hair loss may signal an underactive thyroid, a condition believed to affect around 30 million Americans.
The findings, which will be presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America, serve as a crucial reminder for seniors to have an open dialogue with their healthcare providers.
If you're taking levothyroxine, it's essential to discuss the benefits of the treatment against the backdrop of potential bone loss and other adverse effects.
Have you experienced any changes in your bone health that you suspect may be linked to your medications? Do you have strategies for managing your prescriptions effectively? Share your experiences and insights in the comments below!
It’s important for us to be aware about the risks associated with the medications that we take–especially when it can cost us something as big as our bones. The delicate balance between health and harm is at the heart of a recent discovery that has raised eyebrows in the medical community.
A study from Johns Hopkins Medicine has revealed a concerning connection between levothyroxine, the second most commonly prescribed drug for older adults, and an increased risk of bone loss.
Levothyroxine (also marketed as Synthroid), a synthetic form of the thyroid hormone used to treat hypothyroidism, has been a staple in many seniors' medicine cabinets. It’s usually prescribed among older adults in the US, with around 7% of the population taking it.
Researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine have found a link between levothyroxine use and greater bone loss in older adults. Image source: Pexels.
However, the study's findings suggest that its use, even among those with normal thyroid function, could be chipping away at their bone health over time. Researchers compared the bone health of 81 levothyroxine users with 364 non-users, with participants mostly in their early 70s.
Over six years, those taking levothyroxine experienced a more significant loss of bone mass and bone density. “Our study suggests that even when following current guidelines, levothyroxine use appears to be associated with greater bone loss in older adults,” explained Dr. Shadpour Demehri, co-senior study author and professor of radiology at Johns Hopkins.
Meanwhile, the creators of Synthroid admit that taking too much levothyroxine may lead to heightened bone loss, particularly in post-menopausal women. This loss of bone mineral density and bone mass is known as osteoporosis. Around 10 million Americans aged 50 and older are affected by this disease that causes bones to become weak and become more likely to break.
The study also uncovered a puzzling trend: some patients were prescribed levothyroxine without clear indications of hypothyroidism.
“Data indicates that a significant proportion of thyroid hormone prescriptions may be given to older adults without hypothyroidism, raising concerns about subsequent relative excess of thyroid hormone even when treatment is targeted to reference range goals,” said Dr. Elena Ghotbi, the study’s lead author and a postdoctoral research fellow at Johns Hopkins.
It's important to note that hypothyroidism itself is not a condition to be taken lightly. Untreated, it can lead to severe and potentially fatal complications.
Symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, and hair loss may signal an underactive thyroid, a condition believed to affect around 30 million Americans.
The findings, which will be presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America, serve as a crucial reminder for seniors to have an open dialogue with their healthcare providers.
If you're taking levothyroxine, it's essential to discuss the benefits of the treatment against the backdrop of potential bone loss and other adverse effects.
Have you experienced any changes in your bone health that you suspect may be linked to your medications? Do you have strategies for managing your prescriptions effectively? Share your experiences and insights in the comments below!
