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How Does Low Dose Of Steroids Effect Bone Growth?

Posted on Mon, 20 Oct 2014

Question: Hello,

I want to know about face bone turnover rates. Reason i ask is i want to be 'free' of any effects from steroid treatment i had during teenage years (3 month course low dose steroids) . I understand steroids affect bones by increasing proliferation of bone cells. So would these 'newly proliferated cells' still be around now at my current age of 32?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (35 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No effect will be there now.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The effect of steroids in low dose on the bone growth is short lived. The levels of steroids do decrease after metabolism and the effect on bone cells does not last for more than a few weeks after stopping the therapy. So at your age your jaw bones do not have any effect of the steroid therapy you took years ago.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (26 minutes later)

Thanks for the reply,

You mentioned no effect on the cells...but what about if the effect was creation of new cells ie increase in cell proliferation? Would these newly proliferated cells still be around today?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
No.

Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
The newly formed cells at that time are not likely to be permanent cells. So those cells will not be present now. Such newly proliferated cells are less differentiated and complete their life cycle in 120-150 days.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (9 hours later)

Thanks Dr XXXXXXX

You mention 120-150 days....but i thought bone turnover rate is 10 years?

Secondly, what about effect on progenitor cells, i read somewhere steroids increase the proliferation of progenitor cells also...and these cells are permanent. Does this mean steroids have permanent effect on my bone cells?

Best Regards
XXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Details below.

Detailed Answer:
Steroids increase the proliferation of progenitor cells but the cells are similar to those already present in our body. We cannot differentiate those cells from other cells. Even if these are permanent cells they do not have any remnant of steroid in them now.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (2 hours later)

Dear Dr XXXXXXX

Ok how long do these new cells stick around? Weeks months years?

I just want to be sure, any influence of the steroids (specifically when as helping proliferate new cells) is over now - preferable if the cell from that time is no longer present.

Best Regards
XXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Can survive for 10 years.

Detailed Answer:
The proliferative cells can survive for 10 years but since you took steroids in your teens it is much more than 10 years ago. Right now there is no effect of steroids on any of these cells.
Regards.

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar