Calcium and Vitamin D for bone density

The score for my forearms is -5.9. I am making remarkable progress considering I have to take steroids for adrenal insufficiency (or go into a coma). As I mentiioned earlier, I am using low-dose estrogen 0.025% patch - and I can cut off 40% of that and only use 60% of that. I have an excellent medical journal article about this - but I cannot find it right now - I have too much other stuff to do. I would never take drugs like Prolia or Forteo or Tymlos for bone loss - they don't work!!! I am loading up with calcium, magnesium, Vitamins D3 and K2, quercetin, boron, sometimes a bit of potassium - and I'm trying to eat it. But when I cannot eat enough of something to get what I need (such as D3 or K2), I take it in pill form and I understand I need to eat fat first. Also, I avoid drugs like Prilosec and Nexiuim and their generic forms because they block calcium from being absorbed. And my osteoporosis is reversing - despite me being on steroids! One after the other - doctors got mad at me and said I was flirting with death if I didn't take Forteo or Recast or Prolia or or or.... But I talked to too many women who had reactions like you did - and it scared me because it seems I get every bad reaction known to mankind. So I am very grateful I am, for the most part, going the natural route with vitamins, minerals, etc. Listen to your body and do as much research as you can. From what I've been able to tell, those bone-building drugs work by not allowing the old bone to exit the body in your urine - instead, it piles up on top of your existing bone and makes it look like bone growth. But if you stop taking it, you pee out that new bone growth quickly. So you have to start another "bone-building" drug immediately - and they are not cheap! The side effects can be horrific. You got the osteonecrosis type of reaction in your jaw and I am so very sorry to hear that. I know some women cannot take any estrogen. If you can take it, let me just say it is a miracle worker. You will have less point pain, less mental confusion, fewer wrinkles, all sorts of pluses - not to mention you will get your bones back. But don't forget the calcium, magnesium, D3, K2, boron, quercetin, etc. It all adds up. I have to wait another year to get another DEXA Scan but I cannot wait to see the new progress. I saw some huge improvement in my back. I have hip replacements and a wrist replacement so cannot measure there. I eat huge arugula salads with slivered almonds on top and some berries and olive oil and apple cider vinegar dressing. I am doing everything I can think of. I need to start the collagen peptides just in case again. I stopped for a while due to the expense. But nothing is more expensive than life in a wheelchair - I don't want to go there. Good luck everybody!!! Just know it is very possible to turn this round. If I find my test - I will post my improvement - but I think I went from -4.1 to -3.7 in my back in two years just by eating better and taking my vitamins and using the patch. My gynecologist was glad I asked for the patch - she said I was a good candidate. She even did the BRACA test on me to be sure I wasn't a risk. If you don't have a family history and you don't have the BRACA gene - you might want to think about using estrogen. Once I am back to a good score, I will go off it and see if I can maintain my bones with nutrition alone. I know it will take time to get my bones back - but the longest journey begins with the first step.

Hi. I have my vit d and calcium levels checked and if it is low then I take a supplement. Right now my calcium is fine but my vit d is low.

I think there is some caution about making decisions based on calcium levels. My doctor stated this, as the calcium level can vary from time to time, and many hormones and other health factors influence the level.

I just want to say I have read over and over that the best for of calcium that bones can utilize is an algae form of calcium plus Algae based Magnesium, Vit D3, K2 and Boron. I plan to add Strontium also.

I just want to say I have read over and over that the best for of calcium that bones can utilize is an algae form of calcium plus Algae based Magnesium, Vit D3, K2 and Boron. I plan to add Strontium also.

Hi, @ellerbracke I was told by a physical therapist once that the best way to build bone was doing weight-bearing exercises -- walking, etc. Is your exercise weight-bearing or more in the pool, etc.? Have you talked with your doctor or PT about that?