How do you halt the progress of osteoporosis?

I'm trying to learn as much as I can about osteoporosis and hope to avoid it entirely. Here's one study looking for better, more precise and accurate (not an oxymoron) methods of looking at bone health given that there are myriad problems with the standard DEXA scans. I'm hoping that bone turnover or other markers, monitored with blood work, will become the gold standard.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27867890/

My endocrinologist, head of the dept. at a major hospital, does not do bone turnover marker tests at all. He says they are not useful.

I met with Keith McCormick, author of The Whole Body Approach to Osteoporosis, and he recommended that I get baseline bone turnover maker tests, to help assess effectiveness of drugs. I asked my PCP to order them.

Mine were all in the reference range. Normal. P1NP was 54, reference range 16-96 for postmenopausal.

Collagen CTx 324 pg/ml with reference range 104-1008 for post menopausal.

Also parathyroid (PTH) 50 (ref. 15-79) , calcium 9.7 (ref. 8.9-10.3) and Vitamin D 52.

So with severe osteoporosis and fractures, these tests did not tell me much. Nothing amiss at all. McCormick said we could compare levels while on Tymlos but I have not done that as yet.

Thanks for the information. As an aside what are you taking for bone health? I'm taking a basic vitamin, a bone health trifecta supplement of calcium/vitamineD3/vitaminK2 and a biotin/zinc supplement. I added lysine when covid as the virus is RNA-based.

But wonder about collagen supplements, about which I know nothing. Are you taking it? Anything else I should add in your opinion? Thanks.

@callalloo I take calcium, D3, K2, magnesium and low sodium V-8 for potassium (for heart). I also take B vitamins and sometimes just folate. And Tymlos of course.

I really recommend Keith McCormick's book, It is perfect for someone like you who has osteopenia and wants to minimize further loss.

I met with him in person too (and he does virtual appointments). He suggests a lot of supplements in his book but my case was, um, a little too far gone for that approach. I will go back to it, once, I hope, my situation is less serious! But you can definitely look into more natural approaches. Look up Lani Simpson too.

@windyshores Hi! I have some catching up to do with you but saw this, good info as I'm seeing a physiologist Monday and onto PT (I hope). I have balance issues in addition to osteoporosis so this is another one of your little gems! I've been doing days and days of research on all of the drugs we've spoken of, hence my absence here. Came home from a 2nd opinion Endo consult earlier and my head is spinning even more. I figured I'd be thrown for a loop by personality alone but the meds? Fosamax/Alendronate—that wasn't really my radar. While many others, the side effect which immediately caught my attention: was esophagus and GI problems. Had esophagitis 3 times—one warranted a scope. They found a narrowing at the end. This one was different than the other 2 times: eating became problematic with some foods more than others. Swallowing felt like a test tube where food wouldn't go up or down, sitting in the middle. Gagging, gasping for breath, it had to go somewhere with me forcing it either up or down if I could. As I understand it, one must take it staying fully upright (no sitting, standing or walking) for at least 30 minutes after swallowing the tablet. And don't lie down after your first food of the day. Just starting to take a look but this sounds archaic to me, geez, Evenity's starting to flicker after hearing that! We went through the different drug classes...said she's 'old school' Evenity is too new for her, was lukewarm or middle ground on Forteo, Tymlos. I told her of my bad Reclast experience, the first drug I ever took for osteoporosis. She said that's still an option if I want to take the chance but was really driving home the Fosamax. I found it a bit odd to be asked 3 times during the consult if I'd made a decision yet. I went there because I couldn't make a decision and wanted a fresh eye or different perspective, she was a bit miffed about not making my mind up right then and there. Handed me scripts for labs which she wanted and pointed me to a LabCorp conveniently located on the next floor : / I feel like getting my jammies, stuffing my arsenal of pillow protectors around me in bed and watching bad TV or something. Lol, scrambled eggs for brain right now. I hope you're doing well!

I would really like to halt the progress of bone loss. I am 79 and have had many bone density test over the years, Each time there is more bone loss. I took Fosamax for over 8 years with no results and Boniva for 3 years or so, also with no results. I had not had a test for 2 years and I really worked during that time. Lifting weights ,walking, Getting on the ionic free motion machine at the gym. (trainer said it was recommended). Taking gobs of Calcium (plant based), D,K, Magnesium etc. And it was even lower this time too. I really am afraid to take anymore Meds. because of the side effects. I am really way down on the scale. Does anyone have any recommendations? NM

Yes do indeed avoid that prolia! It has a very negetive effect on many people. I'm on fosamax now and trying to fight it the healthy way.