Bone hormone levels signal heart disease severity in ATTR-CM: Study

Higher blood levels of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) — a bone-derived hormone — are associated with higher levels of established markers of heart damage and more advanced disease in people with transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM), according to a new study from Austria.

Because FGF23 levels were found to be an independent predictor of ATTR-CM severity, the hormone may complement established markers of heart damage in assessing ATTR-CM prognosis, particularly for confirming advanced disease, the researchers said. Specifically, FGF23 could potentially serve as a biomarker alongside markers such as NT-proBNP and troponin T, the team noted.