Endocrine causes of bone disease.

Hyperthyroidism, glucocorticoid excess, hyperparathyroidism, hypogonadism, and acromegaly decrease bone mineral density and aggravate the osteoporotic tendencies of elderly individuals. After effective treatment of endocrinopathy, the bone attempts to return to the normal mineral density. In most circumstances, however, this attempt is incomplete. Early diagnosis and treatment of these endocrine problems in older patients helps to maintain their skeletal integrity and prevent osteoporotic fractures.