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Need advice for wife
So, I'm on Tymlos as some of you know, and doing well. Now it's my wife's turn to deal with this. She is 63, and has osteopenia in hips, but -3.2 in spine. I'm a little surprised because she's been a runner since she was a teenager, and I figured that is weight-bearing, but obviously it's not enough. She does take calcium and D3/K2, and collagen.
We have an appointment with a specialist next week. Being male, I'm not up on treatment that is specific to women. Is it feasible that she can get away with HRT at first, combined with targeted exercise? She really doesn't want to deal with the bone meds at this point, and I don't blame her.
I assume the doctor will order blood tests - and I will make sure that the bone markers are included.
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@gently I'm keeping my wife on her current insurance through August for convenience sake. I got her in to see my doctor early December.
Update: she had some blood tests, and she has an overactive thyroid. Her PTH and T3 are high; not crazy high, but above normal. We'll have plenty of tests to show the doctor when we go. This could be a factor. We'll see if this impacts the timing of starting medication, or if she's going to need thyroid meds first. No idea.
njx58,
how are her calcium and D levels, assuming the kidneys are fine. T3 may be subclinical, but wouldn't raise PTH. PTH possibly raises T3. It is so nice to see your wife getting good care.
There are autoimmune systems that affect both glands, but if that's the case good catch here. Early!
Some osteoporosis patients aren't getting pth levels ordered before taking Tymlos or Forteo.
You might drop this endocrinologists name, here.
I'm glad for the update. And it is so nice to hear the caring husband.
@gently Calcium is good, 9.8. D is low, 27, so she just began taking supplements. Mine was also 27 at one point, and I raised it to over 50 in three months by taking 4000 IU/day. I now take 3000 IU to maintain.
She also has some very small (< 1 cm) thyroid nodules. My understanding is that these are almost always benign. She has no symptoms, so "watchful waiting" may be one approach. Meds are another.
Amazing what factors can contribute to bone loss!
njx58, yes almost always benign, only sometimes disruptive enough to cause a need for medication. Low D could cause slight parathyroid elevation. I'd want a repeat pth level after supplementation. My tiny nodule raises TPO alarmingly without clinical evidence to indicate medication for it.
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1 ReactionYou might find this interesting. https://www.youtube.com/watch
@gently Thank you, we will check it out.