Using romosozumab to improve bone density in women with functional hypothalamic amenorrhea

Inclusion Criteria:

For FHA and controls:

* Female, age 14-30 years, skeletally mature with bone age ≥ 12 years
* For women of reproductive age, agree to use one of the following for the study duration:

  1. an effective non-hormonal contraceptive method
  2. a progestin releasing intrauterine device (no evidence of systemic skeletal effects)
  3. a progestin releasing implant
  4. does not have a history of sexual activity that could lead to pregnancy (i.e., same-sex partners only or total abstinence has been and is their preferred lifestyle)
* Biochemical criteria:
* Negative βHCG (pregnancy test)
* TSH within twice the upper limit of normal; potassium, magnesium within the normal range; prolactin \<10 ng/mL above the upper limit of normal; FSH not elevated.
* Serum ALT ≤ 3 times upper limit of normal, LDL ≤ 190 mg/dl
* eGFR ≥ 30ml/minute
* If the diagnosis of FHA is unclear, we may check additional labs (e.g., testosterone and sex hormone binding globulin if there is a suspicion of PCOS based on clinical hyperandrogenism).

Additional inclusion criteria for FHA:

* Less than 3 menses in the preceding 6 months
* BMD Z-score ≤ -1.0 at ≥ 1 skeletal site (for subjects \<18 years old, we will use the height Z-score-adjusted BMD Z-score using the pediatric bone density calculator developed by the National Institutes of Health and currently maintained by the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia)
* Dental check-up within the past year
* If the menstrual status of the subject is unclear due to the presence of a progestin-releasing IUD, serum estradiol levels will be checked twice, at least one week apart. Both estradiol levels must be \< 50 pg/mL.At the discretion of the study clinician, subjects with a diagnosis of PCOS may undergo one to two serum estradiol levels, at least one week apart. The estradiol level(s) must be \< 50 pg/mL

Exclusion Criteria:

For FHA and controls

* Disease other than FHA known to affect bone, including untreated thyroid dysfunction, Cushing's disease, renal failure, diabetes mellitus
* Use of bisphosphonates in the past year
* Use of other medications known to affect bone metabolism within 3 months of the study (other than calcium and vitamin D supplementation).
* Current use of systemic corticosteroids
* Migraine with aura as classified in IHS Classification ICHD-3.
* Personal history of or first-degree relative with unprovoked thromboembolism (unless the subject has been tested and ruled out for a hypercoagulable state).
* Active substance use disorder; currently smokes or vapes
* History of malignancy or Paget disease of bone
* Pregnant, planning to become pregnant within 12 months after the end of treatment and/or breastfeeding

Additional exclusion criteria for FHA

* Cardiovascular: History of myocardial infarction or stroke; history of hypertension or use of anti-hypertensive medications
* Immunodeficiency or taking immunosuppressive therapy
* Other conditions that can cause oligo-amenorrhea such as PCOS, primary ovarian insufficiency. A participant with PCOS may be included if a study clinician determines that missed menstrual periods are more likely a consequence of FHA.
* Dental: Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) or risk factor for ONJ, such as invasive dental procedures (tooth extraction, dental implants, oral surgery in the past 3 months), poor oral hygiene, periodontal and/or pre-existing dental disease
* Planned invasive dental procedure or other planned major surgery for 18 months after the baseline visit
* Known sensitivity or absolute contraindication to any of the products or components of the medications to be administered (romosozumab, zoledronic acid, transdermal estradiol, micronized progesterone, calcium or vitamin D supplements)
* Concerning EKG findings for ischemia Additional exclusion criteria for normal-weight healthy controls
* BMD Z-score \<-2.5 (who we will refer for evaluation)