Understanding the new osteoporosis treatment guidelines from the Endocrine Society

[Mark_ABH]

The Endocrine Society (endocrinologists) recently issued new guidelines for treatment of osteoporosis. These guidelines are a little bit more specific than recent guidelines from the American College of Physicians (internists), but both sets come in response to concerns from bone experts that physicians should be more aggressive in treating osteoporosis in order to prevent patients from suffering fractures.

Read all about it here: americanbonehealth.org/bone...

Here are two recommendations that might be of particular interest on this forum:

- Women who have been on the osteoporosis medicines called bisphosphonates for 3 to 5 years should get a repeat bone density test and fracture risk assessment. Women who have a low-to-moderate risk of fracture should be prescribed a “bisphosphonate holiday.”

- Patients at high risk should get a bone density test every 1 to 3 years.

What do you think of the new guidelines, based on your experience?

[HeronNS]

I like the recommendations that women be given advice re nutrition and exercise. I think menopause is too late for that information though. All women should receive this information before they reach peak bone density in their thirties, because those are the years we are building our bones.

[Wyaatch in reply to HeronNS]

On the nutrition part—I was buying some calcium tabs recently and one reviewer said be sure to buy magnesium—with it—and vit D, you can get K2 with it and forgot the other—do you know of a handy place to check on combo vitamins for bone health—I’d like brand names but if that’s not possible perhaps other hints in quality . Thanks

[HeronNS in reply to Wyaatch]

Personally I've found the people working in our local health food/health supplements stores very helpful (can't say about big supplement chain as I've never used one of those). They seem to carry a better supply of various supplements than the pharmacies. In Canada I look for the DIN (drug identification number) which is a government-issued number certifying the product meets health and safety standards and doesn't claim unproven health benefits.

[Wyaatch in reply to HeronNS]

Thanks—I’m in the US and we do have good health stores but I haven’t found they know specifics on vitamins unless you come with most of the research done—maybe I can check some of your book or article references.

[HeronNS in reply to Wyaatch]

I'm sorry I can't help more. I am certainly not competent to advise people on the specifics - I just let people know my own experience when encouraging them to go the natural route if possible to prevent, or even reverse, OP. The book by Lara Pizzorno is very useful as a start, and then books like Vitamin K2 and the Calcium Paradox, and The Magnesium Miracle help as well. You may come across others.

[Wyaatch in reply to HeronNS]

Your own experiences are helpful as you’ve done the research— Have to admit at this stage research is harder to do & I always know everyone is different—still there are some proven facts out there re: vitamins & supplements to help us.....as you may know not too many docs have studied nutrition and it’s not required study in the US—so this leaves us patients scrambling, with great effort, to hear real life experiences. This is valuable—but I try to be ultra cautious in asking questions—knowing this may put unfair pressure on those answering—I may not have found yet—the right way to ask.

[Jessie1234 in reply to Wyaatch]

Just reading your posts now Wyaatch. Have your read the articles “ Minerals for Bone Health “ and “How to feed your Bones” American Bone Health accessed on their website americanbonehealth.org. Some useful information there. As for supplements it’s good to get an organic one as I’ve found fillers in some affect me badly. Recent advice is to use supplements only to top up deficits in nutrients or where medications affect your absorption and may creat deficiencies.