Subclinical thyrotoxicosis and bone

Abstract Thyroid hormone excess may cause bone loss predisposing to fragility fractures. An increased risk of fractures has been reported even in patients exposed to a mild excess of thyroid hormones, as it occurs during either over-replacement of hypothyroidism or thyrotropin-suppressive therapy for differentiated thyroid carcinoma. This article deals with pathophysiological and clinical aspects concerning skeletal fragility caused by exposure to thyroid hormone excess, with a specific focus on biochemical, densitometric and fracture data of patients with primary subclinical thyrotoxicosis.