Treating Osteoporosis: What works for you?

Thank you.<br />
<br />

Yes, the internal medicine doctor mentioned increasing Vit D/exercise/increasing calcium but nothing else. She said the only way to build up the bone is through medicine (Forteo) and then to maintain it with a bisphosphonate thereafter. I kinda feel like the doc is treating me like I'm 90. I'm looking to have a second opinion with an Endocrinologist soon. I'm concerned about the length of time I would be on medication as I think typically women are diagnosed and start treatment at a later age. Would really like to hear what others are doing in a similar situation.

Thanks, still a little freaked out by Forteo. Have you been on it? If so, what was your experience?

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?

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/

Dr. Susan Ott in Seattle, a bone researcher, has a very good website for patients and clinicians. You can click on any of the subjects and get very good information.
http://courses.washington.edu/bonephys/
Moderator, not sure if it is OK to tell people about the Inspire website or not with many topics on osteo.

k

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/

Hi @angelas

You are young to have osteopororis. Have you had you blood calcium checked along with parathyroid hormone and vit d levels ? Do they know the cause of your osteoporosis at such a young age ?
I also get copies of my labs . They can look within normal range which can be deceiving as many Dr's do not understand when it comes to parathyroid disease. If calcium is low, pth would be higher, but if calcium is normal, pth should be very low.

I would want to know my calcium and parathyroid hormone , vit d levels are before supplementing .

Thanks for checking first @irishk. There are several members of Connect who also participate in the Inspire website. Feel free to mention any resources that have helped you and how or why.