Dexa scan

[Emidjemal]

Can any one help with my results and what I can do to improve bone health I'm 54 post menopausal and on t3. My Vit d levels are good. I don't know if I should be taking any thing so the endo /gp won't blame my results on the t3 I'm taking

[Clutter]

Emidjemal, My Dexa in June shows mild osteopenia , lumber -1.4 and hip -1.1. Endo has said continue with 5,000iu vitD3 and have a vitD test in Dec. I had menopause <42, was vitD deficient last year and have a tall slim frame with low BMI which I think are higher risk factors than the suppressed TSH I've had for 2 years. I'm on T4+T3 but FT3 was elevated in September so T3 has been reduced. Weight bearing exercise and walking is supposed to help bone strength.

[Emidjemal in reply to Clutter]

My Vit d levels are 99 but he's asked me to do another Vit d test in three months I'm on t3 only t4 makes me ill

[Churchie in reply to Emidjemal]

Can I ask do you feel well on t3. Whilst not completely debilitated as I was on t4 I can't say that I feel brilliant. Certainly not better than when I took nothing.

[Emidjemal in reply to Churchie]

Much better I'm getting my life back. How much are you on Churchie ?

[lucindajethol in reply to Clutter]

Weight Bearing certainly does help maintain good bone density and if you exercise throughout menopause and way on into your old age you will have few problems with balance and premature bone loss, not to mention mind agility. Exercise helps to keep off the excess weight which can put such a lot of extra stress on our bones. Weight bearing tones healthy for healthy lean muscles. Better muscle quality burns up those extra calories. My sister and I are both in late 60,s and still going to exercise classes, find it great for moral and we can give some of the younger ones a run for their money still. Find a fitness club were all ages are welcome you will not regret it I promise you. Some council ones have much cheaper classes than private gyms. We have the Les Mills Classes at our council Gym and they are the best believe me, and such a variety of classes too, hope you can find something to suit you.

[Emidjemal in reply to lucindajethol]

Before I was diagnoised I was going to the gym 3 times a week and walking at least 5 miles a day for the last 3 years I could barely walk up or down my second floor flat

[galathea]

Well your results are fine. I hope he does say its the t3, it might help others to get it! The hip score at -1.2. Shows only slightly worse bones than a 30 year old who would typically have a score of - 1. 0. Here's a link that shows you how to read the score.

niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/B...

G x

[Emidjemal in reply to galathea]

Thank you I'll have a look so my result isn't that bad seeing I'm 54 and have nearly done any thing in the last two years as I was so ill x

[sirmot]

Hi Emidjemal, I'm 55 and my DEXA results are worse than yours. I'm on T4 and T3 now, but my osteopenia started long before I started using T3, when I was not being sufficiently treated for hypothyroidism. In addition to D3 I would recommend that you make sure that you are getting sufficient calcium in your diet (not only from dairy products) and supplement if necessary (usually a supplementation with 500 - 600 mg of Calcium is enough. Make sure it's not calcium carbonate which is poorly absorbed. Calcium Citrate or calcium derived from sea weed (e.g. from Higher Nature - sea calcium) is much better. Magnesium Citrate is also very important for bone health, as is Vitamin K2. Additional vitamins and minerals you can consider include boron, zinc and silica. As Clutter pointed out weight bearing exercise is very important. This includes walking, running, and working with weights.

Books I recommend you read include:

Your Bones by Lara Pizzorno

A Whole Body Approach to Osteoporosis by Keith McCormick

Lara Pizzorno recommends taking Strontium Citrate, but it has its risks. I tried it and couldn't continue as it made me feel sick.

Both are available via Amazon.

I hope this helps and good luck.

[Emidjemal in reply to sirmot]

Thank you sirmot I think its more to do that my testosterone was below range and progesterone and estrogen is very low yet they are ignoring it while my Vit d and calcium are fine. I feel 100 times better on t3 the endo reduced my t3 even though I told him that on 50 mcg I get hypo. Guess I'll just add it my self

[sirmot in reply to Emidjemal]

Low estrogen and progesterone are problems that I have as well. I supplemented with progesterone and estrogen in my 40s (private doctor) which helped to improve my bones a lot. Currently I'm post menopause and have started using a progesterone cream and estrogen gel as well. I will have a DEXA scan in about 8 months to see if there is any progress since my last one 4 months ago. I also feel so much better with the t3...

[Emidjemal in reply to sirmot]

Hi sirmot can you tell me where your getting the progesterone and estrongen from are the bioidentcal I'm on hrt but want some thing more natural

[sirmot in reply to Emidjemal]

I get the progesterone (bio identical) from Wellsprings. It's called Serenity.

wellsprings-health.com/page...

I have an estrogen gel (also bioidentical) prescribed by a private doctor, but wellsprings also has a combination cream with estrogen and progesterone.

[Emidjemal in reply to sirmot]

Thank you I'll have a look x

[cario]

I've just had a bone scan and have osteopenia - both hips (but spine was absolutely fine). I've done no exercise for the past 4 months as too ill, but previously the only exercise I did was walking. I've been told that walking is not good enough to build up bone density, yet I see it is considered a weight bearing exercise. I've also been told that calcium is totally unnecessary, that magnesium and Vitamin D are the important ones plus weight bearing exercise. Is it possible to lose a lot of bone density quickly? for instance, is it possible that my bone density was better prior to the last 4 months or does it take years to get like that?

[Emidjemal in reply to cario]

I guess it would take longer then 4 months. I've been told to take magnesium Vit k and cod liver oil rather then Vit d if your going to take vit d make sure its d3 and that your levels are low

[cario in reply to Emidjemal]

yes, that's what I thought. Probably 20 years of being under medicated with thyroid hormones has done it. Can you clarify what you mean about keeping Vitamin D levels low?

[Emidjemal in reply to cario]

What I meant was if your levels are low then take vit d mine are fine so I don't need to take vit d I would use other things for bone health