| Objective To investigate the relationship between normal range of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and hip bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes by BMD test. Methods Two hundred and twenty postmenopausal females with type 2 diabetes were chosen from hospitalized patients in our endocrinology. They were divided into 3 groups according to their levels of serum TSH, group A (0.27-1.60 mU/L), group B (1.60-2.90 mU/L), and group C (2.90-4.20 mU/L). Their general condition, biochemical parameters, and BMD were compared. Results (1) BMD of the left femoral neck, trochanter, and total hip decreased significantly in group A comparing to that in group B (P<0.05), while there was no statistical difference between group A and C, and between group B and C (P>0.05). (2) For postmenopausal females with type 2 diabetes who had normal thyroid function, serum FT3 was positively correlated with total hip BMD (r=0.292, P=0.039), while there was no correlation between TSH, FT4 and total hip BMD (r=0.078, P=0.594; r=-0.043, P=0.771). (3) After adjustment for age, postmenopausal time, and BMI, serum FT3 was still positively correlated with total hip BMD (r=0.401, P=0.006), while there was still no correlation between TSH, FT4 and total hip BMD (r=0.013, P=0.929; r=0.039, P=0.797). (4) In the multiple liner regression, FT3 was still associated with total hip BMD independently (B=0.114, P=0.006). Conclusion Low TSH level decreases total hip BMD in postmenopausal females with type 2 diabetes and normal thyroid function. Serum FT3 is positively correlated with total hip BMD. FT4 and TSH are not correlated with total hip BMD. |