Abstract
This study characterizes ageβrelated changes in bone turnover markers in relation to ovarian hormones. The data (N = 236) were divided into 5βyear age bands and three groups: premenopausal (Group I, N = 139), perimenopausal (Group II, N = 30), and postmenopausal (Group III, N = 67). Ageβrelated increases in mean parathyroid hormone (PTH), osteocalcin (OC), and collagen telopeptide (CTx) levels were observed. Women in Group II (N = 37) with osteopenia had lower levels of E~1~G (P<0.001) with normal FSH levels as compared to 50 women in the same group with normal bone mineral density (BMD). Their mean OC levels were reduced (P<0.05) and CTx levels were significantly elevated (P<0.01). The mean E~1~G levels were significantly lower (P<0.001) and mean CTx levels were significantly higher (P<0.001) in 30 perimenopausal women (Group II) compared to premenopausal women. In 28 postmenopausal women (group III) the mean BMD levels and E1G were significantly lower (P<0.001) with elevated FSH levels (P<0.001). Increased CTx levels (P<0.0001) reflected a higher rate of bone resorption. These observations suggest that perimenopausal women with low E~1~G, elevated FSH should be screened for osteoporosis, and it may be valid to combine simultaneous measurements of bone turnover markers with ovarian hormones when screening women at risk for osteoporosis. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 21:55β60, 2007. Β© 2007 Wileyhyphen;Liss, Inc.