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← Return to 68 yr. man with -4.9 in L4!
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Osteoporosis & Bone Health | Last Active: Mar 22, 2023 | Replies (38)
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Thanks, it is very helpful and reassuring review. I am ready for any tests. I've researched the role of sex hormones, especially low estrogen (or inhibition) in some male OP. It doesn't seem that the improved bone mass from treatment with such drugs comes at a cost to our maleness. I have too many miles left on my chassis not to consider anything that will keep it more like a Volvo than a Yugo.
Despite my numbers, I feel fortunate to be frac-free. My heart goes out all of you who have had and are going through the pains of coping with their OP (compounded for many by multiple maladies).
Replies to "Thanks, it is very helpful and reassuring review. I am ready for any tests. I've researched..."
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Fortunately, I don’t have any fragility fractures; however, I’m 54 and my Dec 2022 DEXA lumbar t-score was -3.6.
I did reread your original post and noticed that you said you did have you thyroid checked. Be aware that the range listed on blood tests for “normal” TSH levels is considered by many to be too wide of a range. I have hypothyroidism and my last 2 thyroid panels showed my TSH around 2.3ish and because my T3 is also at the lower end of the ok range and the fact that recently I’ve been tired no matter how much sleep I get, I requested a bump up in my levothyroxine. I’ve been taking 75 mcg/day for a few yrs and starting tomorrow, I’ll be taking 88mcg.
Hyperthyroidism causes excessive bone turnover (resorption). The effects of hypothyroidism on bone is not as well understood, but from my research it seems that hypothyroidism slows bone formation, so it’s not causing excessive bone turnover but since it’s slowing bone formation one ends up with a net loss.