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Treating Osteoporosis: What works for you?
Osteoporosis & Bone Health | Last Active: Sep 2 10:11am | Replies (1085)Comment receiving replies
I have been diagnosed with osteoporosis, the endocrinologist wishes to place me on a yearly injection, several years ago my physician wanted to place me on fosamax, I tried it for a few months and was ill the whole time. Thus, myreluctance to start on these meds. I would like my Endo. Doc to do a blood test on my para-thyroid glands as well prior to my starting on any meds-is this an unusual request?
Replies to "I have been diagnosed with osteoporosis, the endocrinologist wishes to place me on a yearly injection,..."
Hi @flygirl8
Normally they run pth ( parathyroid hormone ) blood test if serum or ionized calcium is high or low. Have you had your calcium checked. With parathyroid disease calcium can be normal with high pth as well
I would most certainly want to find out the cause of your osteoporosis first if that is possible.
Usually 2-3 blood tests with pth and calcium ( both done at same blood draw ) will give some indication if there is a problem with pt glands . They can be done weekly for 3 wks. Also good idea to have vit d tested as some have 2ndary hyperparathyroidism due to low vit D. Generally speaking, secondary hyperparathyroidism due to vitamin D deficiency does not cause abnormally high calcium levels but usually pth is higher than it should be. ( Calcium to parathyroid hormone ratio ) Hope you find this somewhat helpful. You are far too young to have osteoporosis
http://endocrinediseases.org/parathyroid/normocalcemic_hyperparathyroidism.shtml
http://endocrinediseases.org/parathyroid/secondary_hyperparathyroidism.shtmlhttp://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-topics/endocrine/primary-hyperparathyroidism/Pages/fact-sheet.aspxhttp://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/medicalpubs/diseasemanagement/endocrinology/osteoporosis-disease/
I agree @flygirl8 , check serum calcium as well as parathyroid hormone at same blood draw. You may need 2 or 3 sets of these labs to get a true picture as when one has parathyroid issues the ca and pth can jump all over . Getting these labs done once a week , for 3 wks may be enough if you do not have a pt problem
Getting your vit d checked as well as a 2ndary form of hyperPARAthyroid disease can be due to low vit d .
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Welcome to Connect @flygirl8. I moved your message to the "Treating Osteoporosis" thread, so you can meet members like @heritage1955 @angelas @spiritbird2 @adamsky and others who have been talking about fosamax, Prolia and other treatment options.
You may also wish to ask your question about parathyroid gland function to @jmbjar and @allegro in this discussion thread https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/parathyroid-question-are-there-endocrine-surgeons-with-expertise-in-parathyroid-disease-at/