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Mixed results 1 year after Forteo: What are your thoughts?
Osteoporosis & Bone Health | Last Active: Aug 15 2:11pm | Replies (86)Comment receiving replies
@awfultruth, @mayblin, @gently @windyshores or anyone! LOL
A couple things - I had nutritional chemistry and wanted to chime in on the protein. Get an adequate digestible source of complete proteins - whether you eat meats/fish OR rice/corn/beans - which together makes a complete protein source, does not matter. Why? Your body needs to break it down into amino acids because they build it back up to YOUR body's signature protein. This is the same with cholesterol. People think eating eggs is bad but then they turn to "components" of cholesterol (like oils in foods) and they give their body an EASIER way to make the signature cholesterol.
Protein, carbs or fats -- UNUSED -- will be stored as fat.
Calcium: Calcium levels should be tested BEFORE you adopt any calcium supplements! As stated above, too much calcium in the body can cause devastating effects like calcium lime deposits on your kitchen faucets!
My own blood calcium stays at 9.6 for 40 years. Dr.'s always try to put me on calcium BEFORE they do the test and then they have to take me off. I am lactose free for 6 years and post menopausal for 20 and my calcium does not budge. Your body has a decent way of metabolizing what it needs if you give it a decent diet.
When one ages, one can't metabolize certain things (especially w/o hormones!) so supplements and changes are necessary. But, I always ask for testing to guide my supplement decisions.
Question was asked about good sources of protein: eggs, salmon, tuna, fillet, chicken, pork tenderloin, and yes, even red meat (for HEME iron - I have a problem with iron). Dark green leafy vegetables, don't drink milk with iron containing products, and drink quality nondairy milks if you drink that. Some actually SUCK with 0 protein! For almost the same money you can get 8 or 20 grams of protein. (not to mention calcium and D).
I'd suggest 65 grams of protein per day, with 90 grams if you are counting incomplete sources. More can't hurt.
Now for the real reason I write:
I don't understand the P1NP test score from the literature I just read. It sounds like an INCREASE is bad indicating that the bone is remodeling (breaking down) at an advancing rate as the number goes higher.
But then it contradicts in the same articles that the increase means the bone medicines are WORKING. I'm really lost in this. I just can't interpret the material.
3 months ago, starting the Tymlos and after one reclast infusion the previous year, I was at 49. Three months later I am at 90. I freaked out but then I kept coming across info that maybe its a good thing.
I'll be doing the DEXA with the software analysis (TBD?) next month.
I went to the surgeon and he said "it looks like your spine bones are a little denser in the xrays!" (since my discs are degenerating at an advancing clip, I was happy to hear that! )
Thank you, Lori
Replies to "@awfultruth, @mayblin, @gently @windyshores or anyone! LOL A couple things - I had nutritional chemistry and..."
Thank you @loriesco for your opinions on protein. The topic of quantity and quality of protein gets complicated depending on at which angle we are looking. The recommended quantity is all over the place. I just stick to 90g per day for myself, divided into 3 meals. Like you, I eat 1/4 to 1/3 of my 90grams in the form of plant protein. There are studies showing quality animal proteins are superior in building muscle and maintain muscle strength while plant proteins are definitely more beneficial to cardiovascular system and in reducing all cause mortality.
With regard to calcium supplement, my understanding is that blood calcium level is not a base in determining whether to supplement or not. Our parathyroid hormone regulates blood calcium to maintain an optimal level so our vital organs such as heart and brain can function normally. For example, when blood calcium is too low and we dont eat calcium rich food or supplement calcium, pth is released from the parathyroid gland and it raises calcium in the blood. It works in the bone to release calcium from bone, it also works on intestines to increase absorption of calcium and among other mechanisms. So if one's parathyroid is functioning normally, one should have a normal blood calcium level (could be at the expense of our bone density if we don't take in enough calcium daily). The general concensus is to get ~1000-1200mg calcium daily from a combination of food sources and/or a calcium supplement for a post menopausal women.
Thank you. Very informitive.
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@loriesco not to worry. Your P1NP numbers look good to me. Others will probably comment who have more experience with following the bone markers along with their meds but from my limited experience and studying this, yours are fine. The starting number of 49 is a mid-range number for how much bone building your body is doing without an anabolic med. The 90 reading is a good step up indicating your body is responding to the Tymlos by creating more bone.
OTH if your initial reading was 90 that might be a bit worrisome as an indication that your body without meds is trying to build a lot of bone and probably is also "cleaning up" a lot of bone. I do not know how taking Reclast might have effected your baseline P1NP but generally your numbers indicate bone building was normal range before and now it's kicked into high gear which is what you want.
You did not mention your CTX score which indicating bone breakdown is used along side the P1NP to get a view of the balance between building up and tearing down. If you have your CTX scores that might help clarify things further.