Okay, 6 wks ago I posted my latest blood test results, T4 20.3 (19-25), T3 4.8 (3.5-6.5), TSH 0.01 (0.5 - 5.0), Vit D 95 ( > 50), Calcium 2.4 (2.15 - 2.55). I had just been diagnosed with Osteoporosis, a total shock.
I power walk at least 10kms daily, do weight training 3 times per week, abdominal work and stretching daily, and eat a good diet. I feel like I am the fittest and healthiest and in the best shape I have been for a long time.
My GP felt my long time suppressed or very low TSH was the culprit, told me to reduce my dose of Thyroxine and gave me a script for Prollia. After some research, there is no way I am taking Prollia! I did reduce my thryoxine from 150 to 140 per day and am doing just fine, it has been about 6 wks.
So, appt with endocrinologist today. He was thorough, said I am way fitter than most women my age (59). He agreed re the low TSH, but also said being post menopause would be a factor. He was horrified that my GP had given me a script for Prollia! The endo said my fracture risk was very low and he would NOT want me to take any medication for osteo. He also confirmed what many of you have said, that once you start Prollia, you are on it for life.
However, he does want me to get my TSH up to 0.5 and that means reducing my thyroxine dose, but he wants to do it slowly, says there is no rush. Since I am doing okay on 140, he wants me to try taking it down to 130, and see him again in 2 months. He has also given me an order for full blood work, testing for pretty much everything. He wants to rule out any other factors in the osteo.
So, there you go! I was pleased he was so anti drug, that was reassuring, but I am a bit scared to reduce my medication further, I do not want to go hypo, but I guess it is worth a try. The endo feels if we can get the TSH up a bit, my healthy lifestyle and diet should take care of the rest. He also approved of me taking Vit K2 as many of you suggested.
I know there is a lot of debate about the use of TSH for diagnosis, but even though I challenged this, he was firm. Guess I can only see how things pan out.
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FitnessFreakOz
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Hello. Sorry for your stress regarding this issue. I am in the same position and felt quite sorry for myself initially and was reeling with shock just like you. My Endo is saying we have to watch T3 upper limit levels and suppressed TSH but I have only been on T3 for 4 months and diagnosed with Hashi's 18 months ago. Unfortunately I was terrified into taking Prolia and read the side effects after. I had to have a tooth extraction the next day and was horrified when i realised this was contraindicated to the medication and my jaw could rot! Regardless of the consequences of terminating this medication, I will not have another injection. Yesterday I asked my Endo to quote some research indicating a link between suppressed TSH and osteoporosis and he couldn't. I asked him why then do they make claims/recommendations without evidence? He said I knew too much. Hmmmmmm. Not enough to be confident at helping myself at the moment. I do know the drop in estrogen post menopause is a big factor for the onset of osteoporosis. My plan of action is too read all I can about prevention/treatment without drugs. Like you I am frustrated as I don't drink, smoke and have always had a good diet, even more so since Hashi diagnosis. Exercise the last few years has been interrupted because of Hashi fatigue/weakness. Remember the pharmaceutical companies have a vested interest in drug pushing. I will be information gathering to decide the way forward AND I may consult a functional practitioner. not sure what more we can do. I can sense your panic and I hope my parallel situation is some comfort to you. Oh and there is the Healthunlocked bone health forum available but I have yet to dip into it.
There is so much more to bone issues as explained in the above link. It could be a good place to start your research and treatment. How much D3 are you taking ? - also B12 ? - which is also involved with bones ....
My TSH is suppressed and my bone scan nigh on perfect at almost 72 - so there must be other factors involved !
Interesting, how long has your TSH been suppressed? In my case it has been decades, but I have always felt better that way. The endo thinks it is a long term thing. It will be good to see the results of my blood work, he is checking for pretty much everything!
You need to ensure he checks the things you want tested - as pretty much everything - as you say - can sometimes mean a CBC or FBC and not B12 - Folate - Ferritin and VitD.
I was T3 only for a few years and then the TSH was suppressed and has been for around 6 years ! I have always read that the TSH is of little importance when on T3 - or even T4 come to that
Yes Marz I absolutely agree with you. Once again I think conventional medicine simplifies the issue of bone density. I am like a dog with a bone and I WILL find answers!
Thanks for the links, I will check them all out. Regarding exercise, I don't think I can do any more, it already takes up all of my mornings! I have always been fit, always exercised, i love it, that is part of the reason the osteo was such a shock.
Thanks for the feedback, all the info is so valuable.
Put briefly, all the randomized trials on this topic and on T4/T3 combination satisfaction are fatally flawed through inadequate statistical analysis. In a mixure of patients, the causes of say undetectable TSH could for one person be overdosing and for another adequate dosing and you don't know which. So the person overdosed may add to the likelihood of OP and AF while the other doesn't. Thus you can't make the blanket statement that suppressed TSH is always bad for you. Bad for some not for others. Back we go to the need for personal presentation and diagnosis as opposed to shoehorn thinking.
You exercise regime is pretty much the same as mine, though I'm a year older. I absolutely love powerlifting though I'm sure not breaking any records, I just enjoy the challenge and shoving fat out of the way for muscles
I would be devastated to find out that I had osteoporosis after investing in the type of activities that is meant to gain strong bones.
Can I ask how you were diagnosed with osteoporosis, was it through something like a DEXA scan?
Yep it was a DEXA scan. Suddenly my GP decided my long term supressed TSH could be a problem and sent me off for a scan. I will continue to exercise, I just love it, but I had thought I was protecting my bones.
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Phone conversation with endo.
My endo has stopped listening... I feel desperate .
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