Suppressed TSH and Dexa bone scan

[Hele1]

Hi

My endocrinologist said my suppressed TSH will cause heart and bone problems.

Following a dexa scan I have been told I have osteopenia so now I’m dreading my next appointment as I think he may try to reduce my dose.

In the meantime my doctor has prescribed calcium tablets. I have read on here several times not to take calcium if your not deficient. My last calcium results were mid range.

Do you think it is ok to start taking them? Is this the usual treatment for osteopenia?

Thanks

[greygoose]

I wouldn't take them if I were you. Calcium is not the only nutrient necessary for healthy bones - it's not even the most important, but I wouldn't expect a doctor to know that. What you need is your vit d tested. If that is low then it would be better to supplement that, along with vit K2 - MK7 and magnesium. The vit D will increase your absorption of calcium from food, and the K2 will make sure it gets into the bones. Just taking calcium tablets is a recipe for a heart attack.

[greygoose]

Was this reply intended for me or for the OP?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

If this is same endocrinologist who said T3 will kill you and to stop all thyroid medication you might be better refusing to see him

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Osteoporosis can be linked to LOW FT3

tiredthyroid.com/blog/2012/...

What's your most recent vitamin D levels and what supplements do you take?

Do you take magnesium or vitamin K2 Mk7?

Do you have Hashimoto's?

[shaws Administrator]

If a suppressed TSH causes problems, why then do the keep a person's TSH suppressed if the patient has had thyroid cancer? These patients don't seem to drop dead and in fact probably feel very well indeed. Why do doctors try to frighten patients into submission with untruthful statements?

[shaws Administrator]

The following link will be informative as the doctor is an expert on hormones. Especially the second half.

hormonerestoration.com/

[Hele1 in reply to shaws]

Thanks for the link shaws. They certainly try to frighten us into submission! I’m medicating with a small amount of t3 and feel much better but Endo is trying to tell me it’s not good for me even though private blood results show it’s never gone over range. But unfortunately the dreaded TSH is suppressed.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Hele1]

Did you following the recommendation for blood tests? i.e.

Getting the earliest possible appointment - fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between the last dose of levo and the test and take it afterwards?. If your test was taken at hospital you probably couldn't fulfill this tip. If so ask GP to do another and send copy to Endo. Do they actually know TSH is higher early a.m. and drops throughout the day. That taking thyroid hormones just before a test will skew results etc etc.

[Hele1]

Thanks greygoose my vitamin D is 145 nmol/L so I don’t think I need to supplement? Perhaps I need just the K2-MK7 and magnesium?

[Hele1]

Thanks for your reply Grincho. Sorry to hear about your health problems sounds like you can’t win. Hope you’re ok now.

[Hele1]

Hi SlowDragon

No I had to change endos he was a lot worse than this one. My latest one is open to suggestions but wants to prove me wrong about the suppressed TSH. Thanks for the link showing low t3 May have caused the osteopenia. It may help with my future battles.

Yes have hashimotos. My vitamin D level is 145nmol/L

[Nanaedake]

Has your endocrinologist tested Parathyroid hormone to rule it out as a factor?

[radd]

Hele1,

Some people require a suppressed TSH to achieve well being. Have you FT3 & FT4 tested recently ?

Healthy bones require an optimal T4/T3 ratio so that old bone can be dissolved or resorbed and new bone can be produced to replace what was resorbed. When thyroid levels are too low, both bone resorption and production decrease resulting in fragile brittle bones (osteoporosis, osteopenia).

Vitamin deficiencies caused by gut issues such as low stomach acid and bad bacteria overgrowth can also cause osteoporosis (indirectly) as can PPI's and stomach acid reducers.

I wouldn't supplement additional calcium if I wasn't deficient but be looking at the reasoning as why I had such low bone density in the first place.

[Hele1 in reply to radd]

Thanks Radd

My levels are now towards the upper end of the range but they weren’t for a very long time especially t3 which was usually under range. It makes more sense that that is what caused bone loss. Hopefully as I continue with adequate replacement my bones won’t get any worse. It just trying to convince the ‘experts’ now 🙄

[mourneadventurer]

Suggest you read the Magnesium Miracle by Dr Caroltn Dean MD ND.

[Hele1 in reply to mourneadventurer]

I already take magnesium thanks. Does the book recommend it for bone health?

[mourneadventurer in reply to Hele1]

Magnesium works syngergistically with calcium. To get calcium into the correct place I.e. not out of bones and lining arteries then magnesium, Vit D3 and K2 are some of the requirements. The issue has been getting the magnesium in a picometer ionic format that is 100% absorbed and not causing further mineral loss with loose stools. ReMag and ReMyte (electrolytes required by thyroid function) are totally absorbed.

The Magnesium Miracle the book I mentioned yesterday describes how to rebuild bone and halt if not reverse osteoporosis. Botanicahealth.co.uk are UK supplier. Supplements are book are well worth the investment. I have no vested interest other than they're working for me!

[humanbean]

You might find this article of interest :

npr.org/2009/12/21/12160981...

[Hele1 in reply to humanbean]

Very interesting humanbean thanks. I don’t think I’ll worry too much about it anymore.