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Osteoporosis and Coeliac Disease
What is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a condition in which the bones become fragile and brittle, leading to a higher risk of fracture than in normal bone. This occurs when bones lose minerals, such as calcium, leading to a loss of bone density. There are no obvious symptoms of osteoporosis until a fracture occurs. Consequently, a person will not know that they have osteoporosis unless it is diagnosed by clinical tests or if they have an osteoporotic fracture. Fractures in the spine are commonly missed as they may cause no or minimal symptoms. These are often picked up when X-rays are done for other reasons or by noticing a loss of height.
Bone density increases through childhood, teenage and young adult years, until peak bone density is reached. Bone is a dynamic substance which is continually being remodelled by bone formation and bone resorption. From the age of about 30, bones start to deteriorate in strength as bone resorption exceeds bone formation. This is a natural part of the ageing process. Women are at greater risk of developing osteoporosis than men. The hormone oestrogen is important for maintaining healthy bones, and when oestrogen levels suddenly decline after menopause, bone resorption occurs at a much faster rate resulting in a decrease in bone density and eventually osteoporosis. Although men lose bone strength at a more gradual rate, they are also at risk of developing osteoporosis. Other risk factors contributing to osteoporosis are certain medications, smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, a poor diet, a family history of osteoporosis, a lack of exercise, small stature and certain diseases (including coeliac disease).
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How is Osteoporosis Related to Coeliac Disease?
Inflammation of the small bowel lining in untreated coeliac disease causes malabsorption of nutrients including calcium. Calcium plays a vital role at a cellular level within the body’s tissues and fluids. This requires a stable blood level of calcium. If insufficient calcium is absorbed from the food we eat to maintain the required level of calcium in the blood, more is taken from the bones than can be replaced (increased bone resorption). This causes the bones to become weaker. If a child is malabsorbing calcium due to untreated coeliac disease, their bones may not form properly during the growing years.
My doctor says that I am too young to worry about Osteoporosis
It is recommended that all adults diagnosed with coeliac disease should have a bone density test regardless of age, gender or menopausal status. Many people with coeliac disease have a low bone density when diagnosed. Although this may improve after the commencement of a gluten free diet, the improvement may not be enough to prevent problems from occurring later in life. In some people with coeliac disease, there is no improvement at all. Therefore, it is important to establish what your bone density is at the age you are now, so that steps can be taken to either improve, or maintain your bone density.
For more information download our osteoporosis brochure here. Or contact us to request a copy by mail.
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Normal Bone
Osteoporotic Bone
Bone Mineral Density Chart
A bone density measurement being performed.
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