In this #BoneMatters recorded discussion with Professor Neil Gittoes, we explore the different risk factors for osteoporosis and broken bones, and why you need to know. We really value your feedback and are keen to hear how you found the session, to let us know, please take a moment to complete our short survey: surveymonkey.co.uk/r/25BKDVX
For more information, visit our Causes section and Bone health for all (links below). For people who haven’t had any bone health assessment or drug treatments do use our Risk Checker to identify your own risk factors and ways to improve your bone health.
My advice to anyone diagnosed with osteopenia or osteoporosis to get their calcium and parathyroid hormone checked. Hyperparathyroidism is a known cause of low bone density.......
I had never heard of hyperparathyroidism and it was only because I did my own research (which my GP was surprised about and said she would be prepared for testing other patients in the future) that I discovered that I had it, and any treatment for osteoporosis would have been pointless without having the hyperparathyroidism treated.
I have chosen, at the moment, to not have any drug treatment for osteoporosis.
Please note, it is nothing whatsoever to do with the thyroid and it is just a simple blood test to check if you have it.
Hopefully now you have had your hyperparathyroidism dealt with you will be ok. I’m impressed that your doctor has learned from you and that her future patients will benefit- that is good news isn’t it.
I sincerely hope you see an improvement. The surgeon told me that after three years the benefit of the op. would be at its best. I waited and there was still a worsening of my scores, but it was maybe better than it would have been, because we have to remember that the numbers would get worse as we age anyway, and we are being compared to an average thirty-something, I believe.
I could have cried listening to this video. Professor Gittoes talks about risk factors for osteoporosis.
I find it profoundly depressing that I was treated for Graves Disease - an autoimmune overactive thyroid condition by endocrinologists and a couple of years later I was treated for inflammatory arthritis- yet another autoimmune condition. Two of the conditions Professor Gittoes mentions.
I was prescribed steroids, yet never once was osteoporosis mentioned by any of my consultants! In fact one endocrinologist questioned why I asked to have my vitamin D tested. To quote him - ‘why has it become so fashionable for everyone to want their vitamin D tested? If you can come back with any evidence that there’s anything in it - I’ll test it’. Unfortunately by my next check up the doctor in question had moved on.
I have a friend who was treated for breast cancer at the same hospital at the same time I was being treated but who was well informed by her oncologist about the effect of aromatase inhibitors on her body and given good advice on how to help her bones and who has had two DEXA scans - fortunately her bones are fine.
I would like to think the ROS could do more to encourage endocrinologists and rheumatologists to inform all of their patients about the possible consequences of their conditions while there is still a chance of doing something to help their bones. Or what about a national Save Your Bones campaign aimed at young people? They are the ones who still have time, their bodies are still a work in progress.
At the moment I feel the treatment of osteoporosis is a case of closing the stable door after the horse has gone as so many people only find out they have it when it is too late to do anything constructive about it.
Thank you for posting this. In the video, hyperthyroidism is mentioned as a risk factor for osteoporosis but hypothyroidism is not. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism in 2017. Note, my mother and all of my siblings also have Hashimoto’s. Since 2017, I’ve been taking 75mcg of Levothyroxine daily.
In 2019, I was diagnosed with osteoporosis. I haven’t had any fragility fractures but I did go through an extremely early menopause and did not have HRT.
After researching osteoporosis on my own, I questioned the dose of levothyroxine I take but when I asked my endocrinologist about possibly lower my dose he just said no. LOL—I was a bit shocked by his response because he didn’t give me any type of explanation he just said no.
I have bloodwork done 2 to 3 times a year to monitor my TSH, T3, T4, Free T3 and Free T4, and it seems like my endocrinologist is keeping my TSH near the lower end of the normal range. I’m planning on creating a spreadsheet listing my numbers for TSH, T3, T4, Free T3 and Free T4, by date and asking my endocrinologist to give me more info regarding why he wants me to continue taking 75 mcg of levothyroxine daily.
My question is, is there a “good” range for where TSH, T3, T4, Free T3 and Free T4 should be in relation to one another? I don’t know if my endocrinologist is keeping my TSH near the low end because that is the only way to keep, say, my Free T3 were it should be.
If my dose of levothyroxine could safely be reduce to day 50 mcg which could potentially help my bones, I would like to at least give this a try.
I did take alendronate for 1.5 years, but it caused digestive tract issues so I took a 4 month holiday and in November 2021, I had a zoledronic acid infusion. Additionally, over the last year, I have made many changes to my diet, supplements and exercise program, I even switched from traditional thick soled tennis shoes to minimalist shoes all in an effort to help my bones.
I’m having a DEXA w/ TBS soon and, hopefully, I will see an improvement in my t-scores. I would really hate it if the dose of levothyroxine that I currently take daily is causing more harm to my bones than it has to.
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