ObjectiveThe aim of this study was adopts meta-analysis in evaluating the correlation between TSH and BMD, as well as osteoporosis in the postmenopausal women with normal thyroid function.MethodsSix databases were searched for articles concerning correlation between TSH and BMD in postmenopausal women. The retrieval time was set from the date of database establishment to November 30, 2020. Revman5.3 and Stata12.0 software were used for meta-analysis.ResultsA total of 19 articles were incorporated. The Summary Fisher’ Z of the correlation between TSH and BMD was 0.16, 95% CI (0.00, 0.32), and the correlation coefficient of Summary Fisher’ Z conversion was 0.158. Study on the relationship between TSH and osteoporosis based on OR demonstrated that the combined OR was 1.76, 95% CI (1.27, 2.45), P < 0.05. The subgroup analyzing results displayed that the risk of osteoporosis of the subjects from community with low TSH was 1.89, 95% CI (1.43, 2.49). The risk of osteoporosis for subjects with low TSH and from hospitals was 1.36, 95% CI (0.46, 3.99); 1.84 for subjects with low TSH and anti-osteoporosis drugs, 95% CI (1.05, 3.22); and 1.74 for those with low TSH but not taking anti-osteoporosis drugs, 95% CI (1.08, 2.82). The dose-response relationship showed that the risk of osteoporosis tended to decrease when TSH was more than 2.5mIu/L.ConclusionThe serum TSH is positively related with BMD in postmenopausal women, and high TSH (> 2.5 mIu/L) within the normal range is possibly helpful to decrease the risk of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12905-023-02488-9.