Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is a naturally produced hormone that maintains a calcium balance in the body. It is released from four tiny glands near the thyroid, When injected on a daily basis, PTH puts calcium back into bone.
A PROMISING NEW SOLUTION
Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is a naturally produced hormone that maintains a calcium balance in the body. It is released from four tiny glands near the thyroid, When injected on a daily basis, PTH puts calcium back into bone.
HOW PTH WORKS
Absorbing calcium: PTH stimulates production of vitamin D, which instructs the intestines to increase their extraction of calcium from food.
Retaining calcium: PTH sends signals to the kidneys to retain all the calcium they encounter and not to eliminate it.
Using calcium: PTH stimulates bone cells to use calcium to add density to the bones.
NORMAL BONE CROSS SECTION
Bone consists of fibers of collagen, which give elasticity, and calcium, which gives hardness.
OSTEOPOROTIC BONE CROSS SECTION
Thinning is mainly due to loss of collagen, which takes calcium with it. Both cortical (hard) and spongy bone tissue are affected.
Source: National Osteoporosis Foundation
Chicago Tribune/David Constantine, Phil Geib and Rick Tuma
OSTEOPOROSIS AT A GLANCE
Prevalence in the U.S.
An estimated 10 million suffer from osteoporosis
Men: 2 million
Women: 8 million
One in two women and one in eight men over age 50 will suffer an osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime.
Symptoms: Bone loss progresses without symptoms. People may not know that they have osteoporosis until their bones become so weak that a sudden strain, bump or fall causes a fracture or a vertebra to collapse.
Medical costs: $13.8 billion per year ($38 million each day)
Risk factors: Factors that increase the likelihood of developing osteoporosis include:
Being female
Thin and/or small frame
Advanced age
A family history of osteoporosis
Postmenopause, including early or surgically induced menopause
Anorexia or bulimia
A diet low in calcium
An inactive lifestyle
Cigarette smoking
Excessive use of alcohol
Source: National Osteoporosis Foundation
Chicago Tribune
