New to osteoporosis and overwhelmed

Posted by zingsong @zingsong, Dec 28, 2023

Hello, I am new to this forum. I was diagnosed with osteoporosis 2 weeks ago. Lumbar spine T-score -2.9; Left Total Hip T-score -3.2; Left Femoral Neck T-score -3.3. I am 58, female, technically met the criteria for menopause just this year (August 2023), 5'6", 125 lbs. I exercise regularly (mostly hiking and walking, some Pilates Reformers, bands, exercises from PT to strengthen my knees and butt), eat healthy (Ca level 9.4, Vit D level 25), get plenty of sun. Mom is 83 and still in osteopenia. She had a compression fracture at 78 when putting a 55 lb suitcase onto a scale. One maternal aunt broke her hip at 60 when she was transferring a pot of stew. She had leukemia and died at 65. Additional risk factors include small (wrist) bones and Asian. All preliminary blood tests to rule out other causes came back neg (TSH, PTH, some autoimmune markers, etc.). When I requested a bone density scan my primary doc at first said I'm not 65 and I'd just reached menopause, but after I shared my family history concerns she approved. So the T-scores really came as a huge shock. Had my first appt with my primary doc last week. After 5 questions, she decided to refer me to an endocrinologist who is also a bone specialist. I will be seeing her in 10 days. I'm trying to educated myself on osteoporosis and there is so much (conflicting) information out there I feel really overwhelmed. I am so glad to have stumbled across this forum and find the discussions very interesting and informational. At this moment, I have hundreds of questions but I would like to start with a few.
1. How common is someone with my profile getting the kind of T-scores I got? My primary doc said "not uncommon". My OB/GYN said "it's pretty rare" based on her patient panel. During the holiday get-togethers I saw many female friends and relatives who are much older +/- have been in menopause much much longer +/- very sedentary and they are not at my level of osteoporosis. What are your observations in your life circles?
2. Is it reasonable to request a repeat of the Dexa Scan before I embark on a life long journey of drug therapy? Anyone with flawed Dexa Scan results?
3. I'm told my T-scores are bad, but I'm having a hard time understanding how bad and what that translates into in real life. The only thing I could find was T-scores less than -2.5 you have osteoporosis. My daughter just got married in July. Does that mean I shouldn't bend over and pick up my future grandkids once they reach 10 lbs? 20lbs? 30lbs? Should I not pick up a 20 lb watermelon from the pit at Costco? Should I switch out all my cast iron pots and pans? I get the sense that I need to be mindful of my activities from now on to prevent fractures but how careful is careful enough? Thank you for any input.

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

@criss

I was diagnosed with osteoporosis at 53 in 2002. I took the recommended prescription at that time, Actonel. There was little improvement. My Dr switched me to Boniva. Further tiny improvement. I was also taking Citrical & vit D. My research made me hesitant to take Fosomax because of possible side effects. In 2019 my research led me to AlgaeCal, a plant based calcium formula which included vit D, K, magnesium, strontium. (A less expensive brand of the same formula is available on Amazon.) Plant based calcium is better absorbed & utilized by the body. AlgaeCal has a helpful community on Facebook. I've now been taking that for 5 years and no other prescriptions. I also have been doing Bone Builders exercises for 9 years. I've had significant improvements in my 2021 & 2023 dexa scans! Now at 75 my spine & left hip are almost into the "normal" range! It seems doctors will always prescribe drug$ before considering a natural approach. I know this may not be the answer for everyone but I'm so glad I tried it.

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@criss I assume you know that strontium, if taken at 680 mg anyway, makes bone density looks better than it is on DEXA scans. Apparently a radiologist can use a formula to compensate. After 5 years of use it might have a significant effect.

Strontium replaces calcium in the bones and is denser, heavier, so it makes bone density look denser too. (I find the Algae Cal Strontium Boost somewhat misleading since it promises a refund if DEXA doesn't improve, but doesn't explain why.)

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@criss

I was diagnosed with osteoporosis at 53 in 2002. I took the recommended prescription at that time, Actonel. There was little improvement. My Dr switched me to Boniva. Further tiny improvement. I was also taking Citrical & vit D. My research made me hesitant to take Fosomax because of possible side effects. In 2019 my research led me to AlgaeCal, a plant based calcium formula which included vit D, K, magnesium, strontium. (A less expensive brand of the same formula is available on Amazon.) Plant based calcium is better absorbed & utilized by the body. AlgaeCal has a helpful community on Facebook. I've now been taking that for 5 years and no other prescriptions. I also have been doing Bone Builders exercises for 9 years. I've had significant improvements in my 2021 & 2023 dexa scans! Now at 75 my spine & left hip are almost into the "normal" range! It seems doctors will always prescribe drug$ before considering a natural approach. I know this may not be the answer for everyone but I'm so glad I tried it.

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Thanks for the long term story of Algae Cal. It’s proof that you can rebuild bones without drugs.

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@cpd54

Thanks for the long term story of Algae Cal. It’s proof that you can rebuild bones without drugs.

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@cpd54 I don't think that any story about Algae Cal with Strontium Boost is proof that you can rebuild bones without drugs, unless the DEXA scan result is adjusted for the relative density of strontium vs calcium. And in the UK and EU strontium IS a drug, and one that was suspended at one time due to cardiovascular risks. It is now used very selectively.

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@windyshores

@criss I assume you know that strontium, if taken at 680 mg anyway, makes bone density looks better than it is on DEXA scans. Apparently a radiologist can use a formula to compensate. After 5 years of use it might have a significant effect.

Strontium replaces calcium in the bones and is denser, heavier, so it makes bone density look denser too. (I find the Algae Cal Strontium Boost somewhat misleading since it promises a refund if DEXA doesn't improve, but doesn't explain why.)

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I take New Chapter Bone Strength, another calcium supplement sourced from algae (red marine algae). Each serving contains 5.5mg of strontium, as it's naturally included in the algae. I'd like to know how much strontium is in AlgaeCal Plus, for comparison, but couldn't find the amount on the label or website. Does anyone know? AlgaeCal recommends taking their Strontium Boost (680mg strontium), but I'm concerned about the safety and how it might affect my DEXA scans.

New Chapter daily dose is 3 slim tablets. In addition to the trace amount of strontium, each serving contains Calcium, D3, K1, K2, Magnesium and Vanadium. It's sold on Amazon if you want to find the amounts of each. I've been taking this for 6 years and my osteoporosis levels have remained stable.

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