Bone health status in healthy premenopausal females was assessed. We found high bone turnover in 36.8 % and vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in 82.8 and 16.1 %, respectively, and secondary hyperparathyroidism in 25.9 % of the subjects. This is alarming as there is inability to achieve peak bone mass and predisposes to osteoporosis risk.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess bone health status in healthy females by using biochemical markers of bone metabolism in blood [N-telopeptide of type I collagen (NTx), 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD), and plasma intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH)].

Material and methods: One hundred and seventy-four healthy premenopausal female volunteers were recruited from an urban residential area in Karachi. Demographic details were collected on a preformed questionnaire. Blood samples for the estimation of serum NTx, 25OHD, and plasma iPTH were taken in a fasting state. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences 16.0. A p value of <0.05 was considered as significant.

Results: High bone turnover, as depicted by NTx, was seen in 36.8 % cases. Vitamin D deficiency, insufficiency, and sufficiency were seen in 82.8, 16.1, and 1.1 % respectively. Secondary hyperparathyroidism was present in 25.9 % of the subjects, while others had blunted PTH response. Significant correlates of bone health were serum 25OHD levels, duration of sun exposure, and the practice of wearing veil (p value < 0.001).

Conclusion: 56++56+Bone turnover is high with high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in apparently healthy premenopausal females predisposing them to higher risk for development of osteoporosis.