Objectives Bone metabolism is impaired in diabetes mellitus (DM). Our objective is to evaluate the association of bone turnover markers (BTM) and vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms with bone mineral density (BMD) in DM type 1 (T1D) and DM type 2 (T2D). Methods A total of 165 patients (53 T1D and 112 T2D) were enrolled. BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Plasma osteocalcin (OC), beta-CrossLaps (β-CTX) and N‐amino terminal propeptide of type I collagen (P1NP) and VDR gene polymorphisms were evaluated. Results Participants were 53 T1D (41 years [31–48]) and 112 T2D (60 years [51–66]). BMD were not statistically different between the groups. OC (pBsmI (p=0.03), the A allele of ApaI (p=0.04) and the allele C of the Taql (p=0.046). Also, a significant correlation was found with higher OC levels and the G allele of BsmI (p=0.044), C allele of ApaI (p=0.011), T allele of Taql (p=0.006) and with C allele of FokI (p=0.004). Conclusions The high negative predictive value of the cut-off point for OC suggests that could be useful in excluding the risk suffering bone loss, allowing offering a personalized clinical approach to prevent this pathology.