Harr Clinical Chemistry 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

In osteoporosis, the underlying mechanism involves increased bone resorption and decreased bone formation, leading to a reduction in overall bone density. N-telopeptide of type 1 collagen is a specific marker of bone resorption, and its levels reflect the rate of bone turnover.

When bone is actively being resorbed, such as in the case of osteoporosis, the concentration of N-telopeptide in urine or serum becomes elevated. Therefore, high levels of urine or serum N-telopeptide of type 1 collagen consistently indicate increased bone resorption, which aligns with the pathological process seen in osteoporosis. This makes it a reliable biomarker for assessing the severity of the condition and monitoring response to treatment.

In contrast, other tests such as urinary calcium, serum inorganic phosphate (Pi), and serum calcium may not consistently show abnormalities in osteoporosis. For instance, urinary calcium levels can vary depending on dietary intake and renal function, and serum calcium is often maintained within the normal range due to homeostatic mechanisms despite the bone density loss associated with osteoporosis. The level of serum Pi does not show a consistent abnormality in this condition either. Therefore, the elevation of N-telopeptide is the most specific and consistent abnormality associated with osteoporosis, highlighting the defect in bone