Osteoporosis is a condition marked by decreased bone mass and decreased bone density.
This leads to a worsening of bones, thereby increasing the risk of bone fractures. People with any chronic liver disease are at increased risk for the development of osteoporosis due to a lack of activity resulting from excessive fatigue, poor nutritional habits, reduced muscle mass, and impaired production of hormones - known as hypogonadism. This is in part due to PBC-related fat malabsorption, which may lead to calcium and vitamin D deficiencies. People with diseases of iron overload such as hemochromatosis , or some individuals with hepatitis C , often have hypogonadism due to iron overload in the reproductive organs. This puts them at risk for osteoporosis due to altered hormone levels.