Osteopenia

[windfire777]

Anyone else diagnosed with PBC and osteopenia? What are you taking? I saw somewhere that it was important to include Vitamin K2 in addition to calcium and Vitamin D3 to direct them to the bones and not your arteries. I asked the question and my liver doctor who recommended the bone density scan is checking with a bone doctor to confirm. Thanks!

[Auds5]

Hi Windfire777

I too have been diagnosed with PBC and Osteopenia along with a couple of other things. I've just been prescribed Calcium carbonate and Vitamin D. I've never heard anything about the Vitamin K2 so I'd be very interested to hear what the specialist has to say. So please keep us posted.

Thanks

Auds5

[Hidden]

I recently had my 2nd bone density scan & do have low bone mass. I am taking over the counter Caltrate (calcium supplements) plus being more cognizant of eating calcium rich foods. I also take a multi vitamin, vitamin D3 (tested low on this & doctor gave me prescription strength D for 2 weeks, then OTC D3 for maintenance), & fish oil.

[Hidden]

Yes keep us posted on what doctor says about calcium supplements going into the arteries. We don't want that.

[gwillistexas in reply to Hidden]

That’s why I stopped calcium several years ago. I have stopped it again until I go to dr next week.

[Hidden in reply to gwillistexas]

Let us know how that goes. I will also put this down as a question to ask my Hepatologist in Jan.

[gwillistexas in reply to Hidden]

I will.

[gwillistexas in reply to Hidden]

Forgot to mention I did ask about vit k. Dr said not necessary as long as I eat plenty green leafy veggies. Didn’t see a problem taking the caltrate 1200 w/vit d3 1000. (No problem as far as calcium going to arteries)

[Hidden in reply to gwillistexas]

Great!

[Hidden]

Quote from Mercola.com: "Vitamin K2, particularly menaquinone-7 (MK-7), has been the subject of extensive research because it stays active in your body longer enabling your body to benefit from much lower levels.

Vitamin K2 works synergistically with a number of other nutrients, including calcium and vitamin D; one of its biological roles is to help move calcium into the proper areas in your body, such as your bones and teeth.

MK-7 is found in high levels in the fermented soybean-based food called natto, certain cheeses such as Edam and Brie, and can also be taken in supplement form."

There is also information regarding K-2 on many other websites.

I use the supplement form of Vitamin K-2 w/MK7 gel caps because it's easier.

[Janicemr]

Hi wildfire 777

I have pbc and ahi I have osteopenia I take calcium tablets daily and once a week I take alendronic acid not been told about vitamin k2 .

[DrDizzy]

I've heard you have to be careful what time you take calcium, because it interferes with urso absorption.

[Hidden in reply to DrDizzy]

That is true. I messed up once, taking it like within the same hour & then I emailed my doctor 9 in the evening because I just had to know & he responded right away.

Will check email & post. It was a while back.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Calcium citrate can act as an anatacid

In general, try to take the urosdiol away from other meds by a few hours

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I try to do at least 3 hours in between

[windfire777]

As a follow up to this post, my Mayo Clinic team said Vitamin K is not necessary. I might take Vitamin K2 anyways- no harm. Any recommendations on brand or dosage?

[Hidden in reply to windfire777]

Thanks for the info.

[Pat_H]

I read a long time ago that we need Vitamin K in order to be able to take up Calcium and Vitamin D3, so I eat lots of cashew nuts, which I've always done as I love them, and broccoli, which has been a favourite vegetable of mine for years, so no hardship in either case.

I don't take any calcium supplements as the first gastroenterologist I saw was not keen on them and preferred me to drink full-fat milk - again I love all diary products, so again no hardship.

[windfire777]

Yeah I have had some issues with constipation with the calcium in the form of calcium carbonate. Doctor suggested calcium citrate. Hopefully that’s better!