Introduction: Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) acts on the thyroid gland to induce thyroid hormone synthesis and maintain trophic thyroid cell integrity. Earlier studies determined the role of thyroid hormones on bone metabolism, skeletal development and establishment of peak bone mass, but had conflicting results. This study aims to determine the association of TSH levels with bone mineral density (BMD) scores on healthy postmenopausal women.

Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study involving healthy postmenopausal women seen at the Makati Medical Center (MMC). Linear correlation of TSH and BMD scores was determined by Pearson correlation analysis. Odds ratio (OR) for osteoporosis and/or osteopenia in range-based categories of TSH was computed using binary logistic regression.

Results: TSH levels were found to have weak inverse correlation with lowest BMD scores, spine and femur (p-value 0.959, 0.491 and 0.715 respectively). OR for osteoporosis has no statistical significance for each range-based categories of TSH. Women with TSH levels of 2.50- 3.49 mU/l has lower OR (p value 0.032, OR 0.23, 95% CI) of having osteoporosis or osteopenia than in women in the reference category but was not significant after adjustment with other variables (p- value 0.107).

Conclusion: There is no significant association between TSH levels and BMD scores amongst healthy postmenopausal woman. Odds of having osteoporosis and/or osteopenia have no statistical significant correlation with any given range of TSH levels. Age, amongst other variables, remained a significant factor in having osteoporosis and/ or osteopenia.

Keywords: TSH, BMD, Postmenopausal women, osteoporosis

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