Osteoporosis
One possible side effect of having KS/HH is the increased risk of developing secondary osteoporosis or osteopenia. Oestrogen (females) and testosterone (males) is essential for maintaining bone density. Deficiency in either testosterone or oestrogen can increase the rate of bone resorption while at the same time slowing down the rate of bone formation. Overall this can lead to weakened, fragile bones which have a higher tendency to fracture.
Even a short time with low oestrogen or testosterone, as in cases of delayed diagnosis of KS/HH can lead to an increased risk of developing osteoporosis but other risk factors are involved so the risk of developing it will vary from patient to patient.
Patients with KSéHH should have a bone density scan at least every five years, even if they are on constant hormone replacement therapy. This interval will be shortened to three years if the patient is already in the at-risk zone (osteopenia) or yearly if the patient has osteoporosis already.
The bone density scan is known as a Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry scan (DEXA or DXA scan). It is a very simple straightforward test, taking less than 15 minutes to perform and involves taking a specialised x-ray picture of the spine and hips and measuring the bone mineral density and comparing the value to the average value of a young healthy adult in the general population.
Adequate calcium levels, and probably more importantly Vitamin D levels are essential for healthy bone density. Some patients with KS/HH will have their levels checked and may be prescribed extra Vitamin D tablets or injections to try to prevent the condition getting worse. The role of Vitamin D for general overall health is under close scrutiny at the moment with some researchers claiming Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in many populations and can be linked to other disease states.
Some people with severe osteoporosis might be prescribed biphosphonates. Exercise, especially weight bearing and resistance exercise, is known to reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
Read more about this topic: Kallmann Syndrome