Treating Osteoporosis: What works for you?

Posted by heritage1955 @heritage1955, Apr 1, 2016

Hi. I'm new to the site and am interested in treating osteoperosis. I'm 39 yo and recently had a bone density that showed I'm at -2.4. So, going through the intial "I can't believe it" stuff. 🙂

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Osteoporosis & Bone Health Support Group.

Blood tests should l be done to check for increased levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium, and alkaline phosphatase, and lower levels of phosphorous. A 24-hour urine collection test can help determine how much calcium is being removed from the body

The parathyroid glands are located in the neck, near or attached to the back side of the thyroid gland. They produce parathyroid hormone. This hormone controls calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D levels in the blood and bone.

When calcium levels are too low, the body responds by making more parathyroid hormone. This hormone causes calcium levels in the blood to rise, as more calcium is taken from the bone and reabsorbed by the intestines and kidney.

One or more of the parathyroid glands may grow larger. This leads to too much parathyroid hormone (a condition called primary hyperparathyroidism). Most often, the cause is not known. When a parathyroid gland is diseased, it causes calcium to be leached from the bones

The disease is most common in people over age 60, but it does also occur in younger adults. .
Women are more likely to be affected than men.
Radiation to the head and neck increases the risk.

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The parathyroid glands control the levels of calcium and phosphorus in the blood. These are important minerals that work closely together to build strong bones and teeth.It is important that blood calcium is kept at a precise level to control vital nerve and muscle function and the parathyroid glands secrete parathyroid hormone (PTH) to do this. If the blood calcium level is low, more PTH is produced to raise calcium levels in the blood by reducing the loss of calcium through the kidneys, by increasing calcium absorption from the gut and by causing the release of calcium from the bones The glands will decrease PTH production as blood calcium levels rise.

What is hyperparathyroidism?
https://www.nos.org.uk/NetCommunity/Document.doc?id=389

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@angelas

I, too, am interested in treatments for osteoporosis at a younger (50) age; however, postmenopausal. I found Dr. Lani's Bone Health Guide book helpful. I'm wary of beginning medical treatments (Forteo for 18-24 months and then a bisphosphonate for 5-7 years) based on one BMD scan.

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Have you had your serum calcium checked > Personally I would like find out the cause of osteoporosis at young age , Bone loss at a young age can be due to parathyroid disease and if that is the case PT disease had to be treated first .Not sure if you see the other posts I have posted on this

The parathyroid glands control the levels of calcium and phosphorus in the blood. These are important minerals that work closely together to build strong bones and teeth.It is important that blood calcium is kept at a precise level to control vital nerve and muscle function and the parathyroid glands secrete parathyroid hormone (PTH) to do this. If the blood calcium level is low, more PTH is produced to raise calcium levels in the blood by reducing the loss of calcium through the kidneys, by increasing calcium absorption from the gut and by causing the release of calcium from the bones
https://www.nos.org.uk/NetCommunity/Document.doc?id=389

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@mohavegal

@angelas , I increased my Vitamin D levels to 74. They should be at least 70 and up. Living so long in Chicago area it took a toll on my D levels. I take 5,000 units x 8 or 10 soft gels at least once a week. It will stay in your system for a few days.

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Thanks! I'm going to get a second opinion on best course of action for me.<br />

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@irishk

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

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Thanks! I like the Inspire website and have found it very helpful.

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Mohavegal,

Did the Dr. tell you to take so much Vit D ? My Endo said no one should ever take more then 1 or 2000 without a Dr's suggestion. I have never heard any Dr. say Vit D should be 70 and I have asked many Endo's and Internists. They all say it needs to be over 30. I just asked a University Geriatrician who works in Endo/Osteoporosis clinic and she said Vit D should not be over 50, they just do not know enough yet if it is safe when higher then 50. I would have to go back and check Dr Ott's website but I think that she recommends a Vit D level between 40 and 50. I read an article in Nutrition Action many years ago on a suspected connection between high Vit D and pancreatic cancer.

k

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@irishk

Mohavegal,

Did the Dr. tell you to take so much Vit D ? My Endo said no one should ever take more then 1 or 2000 without a Dr's suggestion. I have never heard any Dr. say Vit D should be 70 and I have asked many Endo's and Internists. They all say it needs to be over 30. I just asked a University Geriatrician who works in Endo/Osteoporosis clinic and she said Vit D should not be over 50, they just do not know enough yet if it is safe when higher then 50. I would have to go back and check Dr Ott's website but I think that she recommends a Vit D level between 40 and 50. I read an article in Nutrition Action many years ago on a suspected connection between high Vit D and pancreatic cancer.

k

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Just had a conversation with my primary care physician yesterday and he said keep it where its at.  Perfect. Was checking my last cbc report which was done 4 weeks ago. For osteoporosis that's very important.

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@jmbjar

Blood tests should l be done to check for increased levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium, and alkaline phosphatase, and lower levels of phosphorous. A 24-hour urine collection test can help determine how much calcium is being removed from the body

The parathyroid glands are located in the neck, near or attached to the back side of the thyroid gland. They produce parathyroid hormone. This hormone controls calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D levels in the blood and bone.

When calcium levels are too low, the body responds by making more parathyroid hormone. This hormone causes calcium levels in the blood to rise, as more calcium is taken from the bone and reabsorbed by the intestines and kidney.

One or more of the parathyroid glands may grow larger. This leads to too much parathyroid hormone (a condition called primary hyperparathyroidism). Most often, the cause is not known. When a parathyroid gland is diseased, it causes calcium to be leached from the bones

The disease is most common in people over age 60, but it does also occur in younger adults. .
Women are more likely to be affected than men.
Radiation to the head and neck increases the risk.

Jump to this post

Just went on a thyroid medication. Maybe that was partially my bone problems.

REPLY
@angelas

I, too, am interested in treatments for osteoporosis at a younger (50) age; however, postmenopausal. I found Dr. Lani's Bone Health Guide book helpful. I'm wary of beginning medical treatments (Forteo for 18-24 months and then a bisphosphonate for 5-7 years) based on one BMD scan.

Jump to this post

I was on the depo shot which ceased menstruations. Hence the lack of estrogen to prevent the on set :/ but I do think it's odd that they haven't pulled labs. Ordered CA+d without having a baseline. Hmmmm.<br />
<br />

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Mohavegal, good your Dr. says OK. I know the lab range says up to 100. Is your primary care Dr. in an Integrative Care Practice or a Functional Mediciine Dr ? They usually want Vits in a much higher range then conventional Dr's.

K

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