What's the evidence on Calcium and Vitamin D for bone density?

Posted by ellerbracke @ellerbracke, Oct 1, 2019

A recent bone density test came back in the low average range for my age. My OBGYN recommended calcium and vitamin D. I checked with a family member who is a pharmacist, and she says that the benefits of calcium supplements are not clear cut. Regarding vitamin D, I’m in the sunbelt, and spend at least 2 hours per day outdoors during 8 to 9 months a year (early morning, or evening, sun screen between 10 AM and 5 PM if applicable for pool, beach, for example). I’m sure many people on this forum have done their own research regarding the benefits of calcium pills, and I would love to hear what the current consensus is. I exercise regularly, so my bones get a workout from the muscles pulling on them, if that makes a difference. I think the data I was given is that statistically I have an 8% chance of a hip fracture in the next decade, based on the test results.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Osteoporosis & Bone Health Support Group.

valb | @valb | Jan 16 2:18pm

In reply to @sallyj2 "Pub med/ nih" + (show)

Thank you for Sally. That's all helpful. I've been taking MK 7 only and it's the only thing I can think of that could be causing these weird flutters. I'm disappointed that I'll have to stop taking them as I'm not taking bisphosphonates. With my history of reactions to drugs, I just can't bring myself to take them. A K2 food route may be preferable.

fessenbeck65 | @fessenbeck65 | Jan 20 6:05pm

In reply to @allthatjaz "Hello, My name is Karen and I’m recently diagnosed with osteoporosis. I am completely confused with..." + (show)

Hi Karen, I was diagnosed with severe osteoporosis at age 35, due to taking high doses of steroids and methotrexate for 10 1/2 years as a child. I took Fosamax for 5 to 6 years at age 35. I am now 58 and have had 4 fractures in both feet in 3 years. . My orthopedic doctor just told me that they are finding out that taking Fosamax long -term makes your bones brittle even though my DEXA scan has been normal for years.
Good luck, Karen

sandy0257 | @sandy0257 | Jan 21 7:05am

In reply to @scgraham "Hello, I take calcium and Vitamin D, even though I get a lot of sunshine in..." + (show)

I also had a complete hysterectomy young in age. I too have Osteoporosis. I too am taking Armour Thyroid.

However, I am positive I have lost quite a bit of bone loss due to lack of estrogen

sallyj2 | @sallyj2 | Jan 21 11:59am

In reply to @sandy0257 "I also had a complete hysterectomy young in age. I too have Osteoporosis. I too am..." + (show)

And, if you had ovaries removed, likely lacking testosterone.

sallyj2 | @sallyj2 | Jan 21 12:01pm

In reply to @valb "Thank you for Sally. That's all helpful. I've been taking MK 7 only and it's the..." + (show)

Understand, feel the same. I’m trying hormones now.

sandy0257 | @sandy0257 | Jan 21 3:16pm

In reply to @sallyj2 "Understand, feel the same. I’m trying hormones now." + (show)

I meant to say lacking in Estrogen. Sorry, my phone corrected the word and I didn’t know it.

All bisphosphates are bad. All medications saying they will improve bones won’t and will make it worse.

To have a successful bone builder, the medication has to not only build bone, but it needs to tear the old bone down at the same time. This is how God designed our bones to be strong.

All the medications now only “build” bone and then you get fractures because your are force building new bone on top of the old bone and the old bone can’t support it and you have fractures and breaks that are splintered worse than a normal bone that breaks.

Plus it causes havoc in your teeth.

sandy0257 | @sandy0257 | Jan 21 3:18pm

I am going to see if a specialist will approve patch estrogen. I heard that is promising at low dose

sandy0257 | @sandy0257 | Jan 21 3:19pm

In reply to @sallyj2 "And, if you had ovaries removed, likely lacking testosterone." + (show)

Meant to say “lacking in estrogen “ definitely make bone lost worse

windyshores | @windyshores | Jan 21 3:24pm

In reply to @sandy0257 "I meant to say lacking in Estrogen. Sorry, my phone corrected the word and I didn’t..." + (show)

@sandy0257 your info is correct for anti-resoprtives like bisphosphonates and Prolia, but not for the bone builders Forteo and Tymlos, which do build new quality bone. Evenity is both a bone builder and an anti-resorptive, though less anti-resorptive than bisphosphonates and Prolia. It primarily builds bones in the first months and becomes more of an anti-resorptive toward the end of treatment.

sandy0257 | @sandy0257 | Jan 21 3:32pm

In reply to @windyshores "@sandy0257 your info is correct for anti-resoprtives like bisphosphonates and Prolia, but not for the bone..." + (show)

Thank you for the info. All I do know it appears they all have terrible side effects and there is not one that is successful, otherwise, everyone would be on it and able to get out of being classified as osteoporosis.

Please correct me if I’m wrong, I would love to be on one of them….