Levothyroxine and Alendronate: Begging on behalf... - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

141,181 members166,422 posts

Levothyroxine and Alendronate

nightingale-56 profile image
20 Replies

Begging on behalf of my son again as one of the GPs (not a good one) wants to put my son on Alendronate. He has no proof that my son has osteoporosis, but wants to give it to him because of long-term side effects of Hydrocortisone. My son had a Dexa scan about 10 years ago, which was good and I feel that another one should be done before anything like this is given. He also wants to give my son Calcium, but his adjusted calcium is 2.52 (2.12 - 2.52), so is right at the top.

I have found a lot of information on Drugs.com as to why he should not have either of these meds and wondered whether anyone has any other information as to why these two meds should not be given to my son.

This GP will be the death of me by worrying me. He has already given dangerous information twice before. Any more and I am going to report him!

Written by
nightingale-56 profile image
nightingale-56
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
20 Replies
Clutter profile image
Clutter

J-Bee,

I would certainly insist on another DEXA scan to see whether your son's bone mineral density has declined before agreeing to him taking Alendronic Acid. Recent research has shown that taking bisphosphonates for a long time can cause bone fractures and break down.

nightingale-56 profile image
nightingale-56 in reply toClutter

Many thanks for quick reply Clutter . Just what I thought. This GP does not seem to know what he is doing and this will be the third time that he has caused problems. I had read the same, that the Alendronate could cause fractures., and everything on Drugs.com just confirms this.

Clutter profile image
Clutter in reply tonightingale-56

J-bee,

You're right about your son's calcium being top of range too. :(

nightingale-56 profile image
nightingale-56 in reply toClutter

Clutter , I can't remember why it should not be given though. Is it because of heart attack?

Clutter profile image
Clutter in reply tonightingale-56

j-bee,

It can cause kidney stones, weaken bones, and can interfere with how the heart and brain work.

google.co.uk/search?q=hyper...

nightingale-56 profile image
nightingale-56 in reply toClutter

This Gp has not done my adrenals any good today! Thanks for help Clutter .

UrsaP profile image
UrsaP

Agree with Clutter insist on another scan. Is there not another GP you can see nightingale-56 ? Is this GP a specialist?

nightingale-56 profile image
nightingale-56 in reply toUrsaP

Not at all UrsaP . Beginning to wonder if he has even finished Med School! Although I find him pleasant, he does not seem at all conversant with my son's condition.

UrsaP profile image
UrsaP in reply tonightingale-56

Perhaps he should be sending your son to a specialist?

nightingale-56 profile image
nightingale-56 in reply toUrsaP

I have written a letter, which I want on file, saying why my son should not have this medication nor calcium. We are seeing head GP anyway on Wednesday and seeing Endo on 10 August. Will try and get things straight then.

UrsaP profile image
UrsaP in reply tonightingale-56

That sounds more positive. Hope it goes well Wednesday.

I agree with looking for a new GP & also for a referral to a specialist.

You might find this video informative

youtube.com/watch?v=4XEWeDX...

This is the paper where they talk about hairline fractures following use of Bisphosphonates

nature.com/articles/srep43399

Your son can refuse the treatment. I also agree about having another DXA scan.

Good luck.

nightingale-56 profile image
nightingale-56 in reply to

Hidden thank you for this information. Unfortunately the video would not load, but the written piece is good to show GP. My son does not have the intelligence to refuse the medication so I have to do this for him usually. This GP just went ahead without my permission and the carers just say we have to do what the GP says! So worried and upset that we went down the road of a care home, but we are ageing and need to see him settled. He is happy where he is and does not want to come home, so I am reluctant to move him now and he is only 5 minutes from us.

GM Conference 2015 Preview: Dr Mike Stone

j_bee if you put the above into youtube, you might find it

Dr Mike Stone is a consultant in Cardiff, maybe googling bisphosphonates with Dr Mike Stone, you might find his videos

He is a very interesting man, he is a Gerontologist specialising in bones. He sees everyone & not just the aging population.

in reply to

I'm sorry you are having problems with your GP, it is hard work sometimes.

nightingale-56 profile image
nightingale-56 in reply to

Hidden such good information. I recognise the name of Mike Smith so think I have come across his work before. After having found a good surgery, the main lovely GP has retired, although still comes in now and again and we are seeing him on Wednesday. I will try and sort all of this out then. So grateful for all the information.

Daisy77 profile image
Daisy77

It would be good for you to look up the"save our Bones programme". The free weekly email is excellent. I have declined Bisphosphonates several times. I take vitamin k2, d, and boron. I am due another scan shortly and am very curious to know the results.

nightingale-56 profile image
nightingale-56 in reply toDaisy77

Daisy77 so good to get all this information. Thank you for letting me know your programme. After appointment with main GP this morning, it has been postponed until we see the Endo on 10 August. I am much relieved as new GP seems to want to 'sweep clean', but unfortunately not 'good'. Will take as much information as I can to Endo appointment. So grateful that you are all informing me. A DEXA Scan is now arranged as well, so hopefully nothing will be done before the results of this are in. Many thanks.

Daisy77 profile image
Daisy77

You are welcome! I might add, the k2 gets calcium from the blood to the bones, but don't expect the NHS to go along with it. When I mentioned it to my doctor, he just didn't want to know. It is made from natural natto, and in areas of Japan where it is eaten regularly, there isn't a broken bone in sight!! Here we use capsules...

nightingale-56 profile image
nightingale-56

Daisy77 you are a mindreader! I have bee wondering for a couple of days now whether just giving K2 might help lower his calcium. Although his D3 is still a bit low at 47, he cannot have any calcium at that is at the top 2.52 (2.12 -2.52). Unfortunately most medial staff do not see to want to know about vitamins and minerals. Thank you for this information.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Flu' Injection and Thyroid

Does anyone have any links to papers saying why we should not have a flu' injection if we have...

Gluten intolerance and levothyroxine

I had a full thyroid removal Oct. My first dosage after the cancer biopsy came back as clear was...
mmilli profile image

Results help please- Over medicated?

Hi All, So I finally had my first endo appointment on the NHS......what a disappointment that was....
Rhsana profile image

Levothyroxine and Dairy

For those like me who were not aware of this, it was drawn to my attention yesterday that dairy...
Venicefan profile image

statins should my son stop them now he is hypo hashi please advise

there was a post yesterday about statins not being good if you are hypo and because my son has been...

Moderation team

See all
PurpleNails profile image
PurpleNailsAdministrator
Jaydee1507 profile image
Jaydee1507Administrator
SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.