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I have been doing a lot of research on this disease Osteoporosis
Bones, Joints & Muscles | Last Active: Sep 10 9:51am | Replies (15)Comment receiving replies
@gently Can you tell where an endocrinologist fits in with regards to treatment for osteopenia/osteoporosis? I know for women (I'm a 78 a year-old male) the hormone replacement therapy/diagnosis is well developed, but for men, I'd like to know how to ask my endocrinologist what he can do to prevent my onset of osteopenia.
I have a DEXA scan next week; my first one was 2 years ago. The one 2 years ago was OK and I wasn't into the osteopenia stage as yet. Trouble is, they do not relate the DEXA results to males, it's just females and children. Then, later this month, I have an appt with the endocrinologist who is a really nice man, but not an assertive doctor in terms of treatment. My concern is that I have a hip that is bone and bone, but oddly enough gives me no pain. However, I do not want it to progress into being osteoporotic.
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@laughlin1947 You will need to see different doctors. The endocrinologist will deal with your aging and bone loss condition. The Orthopedic hip surgeon will deal with your hip replacement and any fractures. Let me be clear about this - sometimes DEXAS are flat out wrong and sometimes bone doctors can't see fractures until they open you up.
Also - hip issues don't directly PROGRESS to OA. Its likely the other way around!
The bone meds most of us are on, who come here (you might want to scroll around that section) are on the bone meds. My "opinion" from being on BHRT (bioidentical hormones) and the bone meds is that they are the BEST way to counteract deteriorating bones due to arthritis. Any arthritis! A lot of it (form what I have observed over the years is due to hereditary genetics.
To help ease your mind - the DEXAs are a general assessment. I had them 30 years, every year and the last one said I was out of osteopenia in 2023. During my cervical spine surgery my C5 fell apart in the doctors hands. That was when I learned that not all bones are created equal. Talk to an orthopedic surgeon. Prepare yourself with questions (to use time valuably). you are medicare age so you can go without referral. It IS best to have current MRI and Dexas but they can tell mostly everything from an xray done in their office!