Osteoporosis Information.
Osteoporosis is a common condition in post menapausal women due to the drop in hormone levels.
However it can affect both men and women at any age.
People with Kallmann's and other forms of HH are particulary at risk of developing osteoporosis, especially if they are not on any form of hormone replacement therapy.
It has been suggested that a person with Kallmann's or HH should have a bone density or DEXA scan at least every 5 years. This is particularly important if the levels of testosterone have been low for a long time. The doctor will then be able to decide if more regular scans are required or if treatment is needed.
Drug treatment to help reduce the risk of osteoporosis is not always required. It will depend on the results of the bone scan. Sometimes the hormone replacement therapy on its own is enough to reduce the risk, but in some cases medication will be required.
A DEXA scan (Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry) is a painless, non-invasive test to detect how strong the bones are. The test takes about 20 minutes to complete and it involves using x-rays to develop a 3D picture of the structure and density of the spine and hip. The results are compared against the "normal" values found for sex & age and this will give the doctor an idea if a person is at risk of developing or has osteoporosis.