Ostioporosis, Bone and Mineral Disorders

Diabetes and osteoporosis

Higher rates of osteoporosis have been noted in people with type 1 diabetes. People with type 1 diabetes have been found to have, on average, lower bone mass density.

Researchers are yet to fully understand the mechanism to explain why people with type 1 diabetes have a lower bone density but one hypothesis is that insulin may play a part as our bones are known to play a part in the regulation of blood sugar levels.

People with type 1 diabetes are most susceptible to osteoporosis People with type 1 diabetes tend to have a lower bone density and hence at an increased risk of osteoporosis, a condition resulting in weakened bones. Our bones weaken as we get older but some factors can speed up the loss of bone density.

There are three different different grades of bone density, normal, osteopenia and osteoporosis.

Osteopenia is where you have lower than normal bone density but a higher bone density, and therefore lower risk of fractures, than osteoporosis.

Risks and causes

Our bones generally become weaker as we get older but a number of factors can speed up the weakening of bones and include:

After the menopause in women

A low body mass index (BMI)

Being bed bound or otherwise getting very little physical activity

Over consumption of alcohol

Being a heavy smoker

Prolonged use of corticosteroids

Cushing’s syndrome

Crohn’s disease

Coeliac disease

Overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism)

Symptoms of osteoporosis

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Osteoporosis may not present noticeable symptoms and the first indication that you may have osteoporosis is usually if you suffer a bone fracture.

Osteoporosis may be noticeable in older as weak and fractured bones in the spine can cause the head to permanently lean forwards and a hunchback appearance developing.

Osteoporosis and common bone fractures

Common bone fractures resulting from osteoporosis include:

Wrist fractures

Hip fractures

Spinal fractures

Foot fractures

Diagnosing osteoporosis

Osteoporosis can be diagnosed using a DEXA scan, which measures your bone mineral density (BMD). DEXA stands for dual energy X-ray absorptiometry.