Causes of Generalized osteopenia in HHC
Generalized osteopenia is common in HHC. What are its possible causes?
• Increased synovial iron (comparable to serum levels) directly inhibits bone formation.
• Pituitary iron infiltration decreases gonadotropin levels, leading to hypogonadism (hypogonadotropic hypogonadism).
• Hepatic cirrhosis leads to testicular atrophy and hypogonadism and poor conversion of vitamin D to 25-hydroxy vitamin D.