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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JK | @contentandwell | Oct 20, 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 have hypothyroid so I presume that does not cause bone loss like hyperthyroidism.
JK

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1 reply
JK | @contentandwell | Oct 20, 2019
In reply to @georgette12 "Regarding folks concerned with bone health and calcium and vitamin d and all of that.. After..." + (show)
@georgette12

Regarding folks concerned with bone health and calcium and vitamin d and all of that..
After trying to treat pain in muscles and hands and feet and shoulders with vitamins and etc. I finally was diagnosed with osteoporosis with my bone scan results at the highest on the scale of bone loss. I now take daily injuctions of tymlos, a treatment to "rebuild " none mass. 2 year treatment, once a day, 80 units. Am in my third month on it. Dr gave me whole new perspective on calcium and other stuff I was taking. I am 75, 114 pounds and have never broken a bone, even when I have fallen on ice and UP a stair. Scoliosis also. Was really shocked my bone density was so bad!

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@georgette12 Now that you are taking Tymlos when will they do another DEXA? I have an appointment set up with an endocrinologist who specializes in osteoporosis but it's not until January so in the meantime I am trying to garner as much information as I can. I am on a waitlist so hopefully I will get seen sooner.
Thanks.
JK

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1 reply
georgette12 | @georgette12 | Oct 20, 2019
In reply to @contentandwell "@georgette12 Now that you are taking Tymlos when will they do another DEXA? I have an..." + (show)
@contentandwell

@georgette12 Now that you are taking Tymlos when will they do another DEXA? I have an appointment set up with an endocrinologist who specializes in osteoporosis but it's not until January so in the meantime I am trying to garner as much information as I can. I am on a waitlist so hopefully I will get seen sooner.
Thanks.
JK

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Have follow up with orthopedic and rheumatology dr. Who are working together with me. I think that's after six months daily injections. Process should show a change after 6 months. But also was given correct amounts of calcium and d3 based on my particular needs.

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parrotqueen | @parrotqueen | Oct 21, 2019
In reply to @contentandwell "@hopeful33250 I have hypothyroid so I presume that does not cause bone loss like hyperthyroidism. JK" + (show)
@contentandwell

@hopeful33250 I have hypothyroid so I presume that does not cause bone loss like hyperthyroidism.
JK

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There can be interaction with thyroid meds and calcium - so take them at least two hours apart. I am hypothyroid and I have horrible osteoporosis (DEXA -5.7), but it was likely caused by the pituitary tumor I had/have.

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parrotqueen | @parrotqueen | Oct 21, 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.

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Don't forget we need vitamin K2 to get the calcium to go to the bones and not the arteries!

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JK | @contentandwell | Oct 21, 2019
In reply to @parrotqueen "There can be interaction with thyroid meds and calcium - so take them at least two..." + (show)
@parrotqueen

There can be interaction with thyroid meds and calcium - so take them at least two hours apart. I am hypothyroid and I have horrible osteoporosis (DEXA -5.7), but it was likely caused by the pituitary tumor I had/have.

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@parrotqueen Great info, thanks.
JK

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kahli | @kahli | Nov 1, 2019
In reply to @parrotqueen "I only drink water. I got the collagen but I just can't handle it in plain..." + (show)
@parrotqueen

I only drink water. I got the collagen but I just can't handle it in plain water. I'm trying to think of something that would taste good that has no sugar. It's supposed to really help. UGH. You are better women than me, lioness, khali, et al.

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Hi parrotquee and lioness, happy to read you stopped strontium. Also that you researched it. I am using "LiveWell" grass fed, pasture raised Collagen Peptides. (no strintium) from Amazon. Had visit with oncologist, stopping anastrazole after 6 years. 3 months. Higher risk of fractures in arms from anastrazole which caused osteoporosis. Bone density showed I was high rush for fractures! Use a cane outside oh home, we must not fall. Had to get over being embarrassed to use a cane!.Seems like addition of Vit K2, and collagen is working. No pain and again feeling energized, and walking more.

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2 replies
kahli | @kahli | Nov 1, 2019
In reply to @lioness "@parrotqueen I take it I'n my smoothie you don't taste it then . I usually make..." + (show)
@lioness

@parrotqueen I take it I'n my smoothie you don't taste it then . I usually make a fruit smoothie try this you can do it .

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Hi parrotqueen, try the collagen in hot tea. It desolves easily, no taste and no sugar. Some say don't mix in hot drinks but it is hard to mix in cold drinks and lumpy.

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lioness | @lioness | Nov 1, 2019
In reply to @kahli "Hi parrotqueen, try the collagen in hot tea. It desolves easily, no taste and no sugar...." + (show)
@kahli

Hi parrotqueen, try the collagen in hot tea. It desolves easily, no taste and no sugar. Some say don't mix in hot drinks but it is hard to mix in cold drinks and lumpy.

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@kahli Thanks for the tip but I put both my bone meal powder and collegen in my smoothie and drink up mixed with fruit I don't notice any lumpy taste to it . The bone meal powder has the calcium, magnesium phospours in it plus I take my D3 and K . I need to find something for the nerves as mine are burny feeling in my legs. Any suggestions?

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2 replies
kahli | @kahli | Nov 1, 2019
In reply to @lioness "@kahli Thanks for the tip but I put both my bone meal powder and collegen in..." + (show)
@lioness

@kahli Thanks for the tip but I put both my bone meal powder and collegen in my smoothie and drink up mixed with fruit I don't notice any lumpy taste to it . The bone meal powder has the calcium, magnesium phospours in it plus I take my D3 and K . I need to find something for the nerves as mine are burny feeling in my legs. Any suggestions?

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Hi lionese,
Have you had your magnesium checked and talk with your primary. Are you Diabetic , have neuropathy, vascular disease or neurological problem, medication , vitamin deficiency, or reaction to meds. Don't experiment on you own by taking more stuff. Insist on follow thru with you doc. This has to be very stressful and deserves an answer. If your doc brushes you off, move on.

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