1. < Osteoporosis & Bone Health

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.

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Oct 18, 2019
In reply to @contentandwell "@lioness He just called me! Yes, he wants me to get it tested, and then to..." + (show)
@contentandwell

@lioness He just called me! Yes, he wants me to get it tested, and then to get a high level of vitamin D probably after he sees the results. He is also having me get my magnesium tested.
JK

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@contentandwell Good news. Magnesium is also important for bone health and overall good functioning of the body. Looking forward to hearing the results.

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bonnieh218 | @bonnieh218 | Oct 18, 2019

OMG I can’t even phantom 1 hip replacement let alone 5. You are a brave sole. I’m 67 and trying to treat my osteoporosis naturally with diet and exercise. I’m now trying to figure out which supplements I should be doing if any. May you have good reports on your results.

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lioness | @lioness | Oct 18, 2019

@bonnieh218 I too have osteoporosis and 2 fractures I do naturel treatments also diet ,exercise and do take a product that is calcium, magnesiium and phosphours in it from KAL called Bone Meal Powder every morning in my smoothie plus collagen for the bones. Its a naturel calcium source

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JK | @contentandwell | Oct 18, 2019
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Bone pain seems to be common with bone loss, @contentandwell. When I lay down at night..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

Bone pain seems to be common with bone loss, @contentandwell. When I lay down at night the shins in my legs and often the bones in my arms really ache, it's not a muscle ache but a bone pain. Is that what you experience as well? Have you had your parathyroid hormone level checked recently? As long as you are bothering your doctor, why not ask about that as well. An abnormal parathyroid level can cause bone loss, too.

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@hopeful33250 Is the test for parathyroid hormone part of another group of tests of a test for just that? That's a good idea, thanks. What do they do for that, if your number is out of range?

Teresa, he also wanted me to get tested for magnesium but I told him he already had those results, they are part of my regular lab work that MGH requires. Obviously he does not read my lab results that are always sent to him. My magnesium is within range -- on the low end of the range.
JK

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2 replies
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Oct 19, 2019
In reply to @contentandwell "@hopeful33250 Is the test for parathyroid hormone part of another group of tests of a test..." + (show)
@contentandwell

@hopeful33250 Is the test for parathyroid hormone part of another group of tests of a test for just that? That's a good idea, thanks. What do they do for that, if your number is out of range?

Teresa, he also wanted me to get tested for magnesium but I told him he already had those results, they are part of my regular lab work that MGH requires. Obviously he does not read my lab results that are always sent to him. My magnesium is within range -- on the low end of the range.
JK

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The parathyroid test is a separate test done, along with a calcium level test. Often hyperparathyroidism can cause home loss. Do you consult with an endocrinologist?

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2 replies
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Oct 19, 2019
In reply to @contentandwell "@hopeful33250 Is the test for parathyroid hormone part of another group of tests of a test..." + (show)
@contentandwell

@hopeful33250 Is the test for parathyroid hormone part of another group of tests of a test for just that? That's a good idea, thanks. What do they do for that, if your number is out of range?

Teresa, he also wanted me to get tested for magnesium but I told him he already had those results, they are part of my regular lab work that MGH requires. Obviously he does not read my lab results that are always sent to him. My magnesium is within range -- on the low end of the range.
JK

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Hi @contentandwell
Her is a Connect discussion about the parathyroid. This will help you understand it from a patient's perspective. .
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/elevated-parathyroid-hormone-pth/.
Here is some general information regarding hyperparathyroidism from Mayo's website, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hyperparathyroidism/symptoms-causes/syc-20356194.

I hope this helps.

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lioness | @lioness | Oct 19, 2019
In reply to @hopeful33250 "The parathyroid test is a separate test done, along with a calcium level test. Often hyperparathyroidism..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

The parathyroid test is a separate test done, along with a calcium level test. Often hyperparathyroidism can cause home loss. Do you consult with an endocrinologist?

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@hopeful33250 I'm going to ask for this test Thanks

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mslw | @mslw | Oct 20, 2019

10/16/19 BMJ article on fracture risk and supplemental calcium/Vit. D. Abstract and full text are available (free).
BMJ Open. 2019 Oct 16;9(10):e024595. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-024595.
The conclusion: "...supplements that included calcium, vitamin D or both was not found to be better than placebo or no treatment in terms of risk of fractures among community-dwelling older adults. It means the routine use of these supplements in community-dwelling older people should be treated more carefully."
How can we know if we are taking too much cholesterol is serum cholesterol is not reliable. From another medical journal article:
"...not only is it impossible to predict calcium balance based on serum calcium, but doing so may lead to inadequate and, sometimes, deleterious decisions for the patient."
(I can send links to anyone who wants them).
Let's question our endocrinologists - and doctors, in general - using recent, well designed studies as the basis of our questions.
Some of them are relying on outdated and/or flawed guidelines.
L.W.

REPLY
2 replies
JK | @contentandwell | Oct 20, 2019
In reply to @mslw "10/16/19 BMJ article on fracture risk and supplemental calcium/Vit. D. Abstract and full text are available..." + (show)
@mslw

10/16/19 BMJ article on fracture risk and supplemental calcium/Vit. D. Abstract and full text are available (free).
BMJ Open. 2019 Oct 16;9(10):e024595. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-024595.
The conclusion: "...supplements that included calcium, vitamin D or both was not found to be better than placebo or no treatment in terms of risk of fractures among community-dwelling older adults. It means the routine use of these supplements in community-dwelling older people should be treated more carefully."
How can we know if we are taking too much cholesterol is serum cholesterol is not reliable. From another medical journal article:
"...not only is it impossible to predict calcium balance based on serum calcium, but doing so may lead to inadequate and, sometimes, deleterious decisions for the patient."
(I can send links to anyone who wants them).
Let's question our endocrinologists - and doctors, in general - using recent, well designed studies as the basis of our questions.
Some of them are relying on outdated and/or flawed guidelines.
L.W.

Jump to this post

@mslw Thanks, Lisa. This sounds like excellent and very valuable information. I would definitely like to have the links so when I do finally get to see an endocrinologist I can be as well informed as possible, and if necessary tell him where I got the info.

So, the conclusion is that taking a calcium/vitamin D is not helpful? I am going for my Vitamin D test tomorrow, from what you are quoting it sounds as if my vitamin D level is irrelevant. I hope that’s not true, and that increasing it will be helpful. I want to believe that I can improve my DEXA score, preferably without the pharmaceuticals that all seem to have very negative side-effects.
Thanks again.
JK

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mslw | @mslw | Oct 20, 2019

Vit. D level is important if you don’t have enough of it!
Vit D is part of the calcium absorption process and is otherwise important, so have your level checked.
I’ve just started delving into this...was only recently diagnosed with osteoporosis of the spine, although I’ve had osteopenia- and scoliosis - for a ling time.
So do your own research and bring it with you to the doctor, just in case what she/he says seems to contradict what you’ve read.
Some studies are small and/or flawed, but you can ask about them anyway.
Type the BMJ info in my earlier link into a Pub Med search box....will bring up lots of articles on the subject. If you can’t find it, PM me.

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