Which hormonal state is a risk factor for osteoporosis?

Which hormonal state is a risk factor for osteoporosis?

• A. Estrogen deficiency
• B. Estrogen excess
• C. Growth hormone deficiency
• D. Calcitonin deficiency

Answer: (A)

Estrogen helps keep bones strong by restraining bone resorption. It suppresses osteoclast activity and promotes osteoclast apoptosis, in part by modulating the RANKL/OPG system produced by osteoblasts. When estrogen levels fall, as in menopause, osteoclasts become more active, bone resorption increases, and bone mineral density declines, raising fracture risk. This makes estrogen deficiency the principal hormonal risk factor for osteoporosis. Estrogen excess would reduce resorption and thus is not a risk factor. Growth hormone deficiency can contribute to lower bone mass by decreasing bone formation, but it’s not the most characteristic hormonal risk factor. Calcitonin deficiency isn’t a major driver of osteoporosis.

Estrogen helps keep bones strong by restraining bone resorption. It suppresses osteoclast activity and promotes osteoclast apoptosis, in part by modulating the RANKL/OPG system produced by osteoblasts. When estrogen levels fall, as in menopause, osteoclasts become more active, bone resorption increases, and bone mineral density declines, raising fracture risk. This makes estrogen deficiency the principal hormonal risk factor for osteoporosis.

Estrogen excess would reduce resorption and thus is not a risk factor. Growth hormone deficiency can contribute to lower bone mass by decreasing bone formation, but it’s not the most characteristic hormonal risk factor. Calcitonin deficiency isn’t a major driver of osteoporosis.