Next Steps

Hi Mary, welcome to the discussion! I assume you are female? age? what supplements do you already take? activity level? any fractures? other medical problems?

My PCP is a gerontologist who has a strong interest in OP (whose practice I snuck into because I was too young at 62) but I've seen a rheumatologist for add'l testing. My endocrinologist didn't seem excited to advise on OP.

there are lots of sub groups here where you can learn a LOT! click around and read, you will be able come up with additional targeted questions. We are all here to support one another and learn from each others experiences and victories! there is a lot of wisdom here!

Mary, your PCP can prescribe medications for osteoporosis. Some prefer to send to you a specialist. An endocrinologist specializes in endocrine (hormone gland) disorders, and osteoporosis is usually an endocrine disorder. You should be ordered labs to ascertain the cause of your osteoporosis. The cause is most commonly loss of estradiol that is most intense after menopause, but other causes can be parathyroid gland dysfunction or medication induced osteoporosis and other rheumatological autoimmune diseases.
Rheumatologists also treat osteoporosis.
I think the best care comes from a doctor that specializes in osteoporosis endocrinologist or rheumatologist, but few of these doctors do and they have many different diseases to treat.
Practitioners that specialize will probably offer you a choice of anabolic (building) rather than antiresorptive medications Tymlos, Forteo or Evenity.
You might contact your PCP and ask for a referral, if you prefer a specialist or ask for a follow-up appointment soon. We like to rally questions with differing options, so tell us more.

@boneoptimist @gently Thanks so much for your replies and all the info you have offered. This diagnosis came as a surprise to me and I am a little overwhelmed with what I am reading. I am a female, 65 yrs old. Until 2024 I assumed I was perfectly healthy, no medications, had a good job and enjoyed life. I became ill near the end of 2023 and eventually went to the ER. That resulted in a diagnosis of MAC lung disease, COPD and mild Bronchiectasis. I was prescribed an inhaler for the COPD and antibiotics for the MAC which I still take. I retired in June 2025. I try to stay active and exercise (stationary bike & weights) but sometimes the fatigue from the MAC and/or the medications overwhelms me. I know I will need to step up my game with exercise from what I am reading and it's important for my lungs also. I do take 2000iu of Vitamin D3 and a multivitamin daily but no other supplements. About 1 yr ago, my pcp tested my vit d levels and I was pretty low. She put me on a high dose and then lowered it to the 2000 iu which seems to be keeping it level. I am so grateful for this site! It helps so much to share experiences and gain insight from others who share the same disease. I had no idea how fun aging would be, but I am finding out 😊

Before starting treatment, be sure to research current meds and other options for dealing with OP….being prepared can make a very positive difference…people with OP do need to be proactive and advocate for themselves….this site has a lot of info to help your research…info from Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic is very helpful and reliable….beware, there a lot of hucksters offering their ‘cures’ !! Best of luck !!

My husband had vertebral fractures last year after not acting on an osteopenia diagnosis in 2019. We found it very difficult to findsomeone knowledgeable re osteoporosis snd we live in a large city. Do as much reading as you can. Only armed with thst knowledge did we convince a nurse practioner to order an anabolic to build his bones rather than a antireabsortive which is usually the first thing offered. That can blunt the effects of anabolic later so try to find a knowledgeable dr.
Best to you

@gently Where I live, PCP's are not allowed to prescribe bone building medicine, only medical specialists can do that. I guess that will be different in other parts of the world.

WilWeten, just wondering what you've been thinking. Have you seen Ebraheim https://www.youtube.com/watch. I like his 150 osteoblast need to replace the bone taken by one osteoclast.
In the UK you have to fracture before being prescribed an anabolic, and then you have to see a rheumatologist who seem to be hospitalists. I wonder what it is like in the rest of Europe. I thought you were in Canada.
The poster responded to is in Florida, I think.

@wilweten @gently Yep, I'm in Florida. Interesting, the differences

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/01/business/us-uk-pharma-tariffs-prices.html

@gently Actually, I found it shocking to read how much more people in the US have to pay for e.g. Tymlos or Forteo.

In Europe, the official price pharmacies have to pay for 1 pen of Tymlos or Forteo is € 272,10 (I get it for free from my compulsary standard health insurance which costs me about € 2000 per year). I've heard that in the US patients have to pay for a multiple of that price for 1 pen.

I'm pretty sure, the companies delivering to Europe still manage to make a profit...