I am a senior female over 75 with Hashimoto thyroid. My last bonescan, one year ago showed bone loss getting worse- endocrinologist suggested various medications like Fosamax or various shots.
I read that taking Algae Calcium plus strontium boost helps build bone mass.
Has Any one has any one experimented with these vitamins?
The pills available here in USA run $ 100. For both bottles for one month supply. The tablets may be too large, I have trouble swallowing big pills!
Any suggestions please? What do women in Uk take to increase bone mass and for osteoporosis/ osteopenia?
Thanks
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Suzi_
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Hey. I'm in the UK. Ask your doctor what they think about vibration plates. They're documented to increase bone density and be beneficial for the endocrine system. It's not a magic pill but every little helps. Good luck 🍀
I answered a question on this subject earlier, and linked to several articles about bones, calcium, etc. Maybe you can find something of interest amongst them:
thank you so much for your articles, I've printed a few out for my current endo who sent me for a dexa scan to prove I was on too much t3. But, more seriously, I've been downing calcium bricks with k2 and d3 for years because my GP said I had osteopenia, I am now hypertensive and pained in every joint and I think I can blame this.
I think you probably can, too. And, how on earth does your endo think that doing a dexa scan proves you're on too much T3? lol There's a blood test for that, it's called FT3. Does he ever test that?
It really is time that the whole medical profession and training is overhauled. I must admit that I was worried about my DEXA results but then I realised that there had only been a very small decrease in my results in almost three years since my last scan and I had aged three years! It just seems to me that the medical profession, with few exceptions just wants to screw with thyroid sufferers in any way they can.
So it would seem, yes. I always feel they hate us for having the disease and wasting their time with our symptoms and demands for proper treatment. But, it's sheer ignorance that makes them like that.
Plus they are looking at these scans that are skewed to younger people. They need to do research on people say from 65 on up to draw good conclusions. It's a fight every time at a doctor appointment.
Strong healthy bones require an adequate supply of thyroid hormones, particularly T3 that drives the bone making/maintaining process (as old bone is dissolved/resorbed, new bone is produced to replace). Also oestrogen (HRT if necessary), eating enough calcium & ensuring enough Vit D, and Vit K2 to uptake the calcium. I also supplement collagen and ensure adequate dietary protein intake.
We are advised to maintain a healthy lifestyle; healthy BMI, practicing weight bearing exercise that stimulates bone-making cells & tone/strengthen supporting muscles, not smoking, limiting alcohol intake and use of steroid meds such as prednisolone, etc, all the usual recommendations.
In UK we are commonly offered calcium and colecalciferol (vitamin D3) preparations as a standard, but theres also bisphosphonates meds (Alendronate, Risedronate), or Raloxifene for higher risk fracture, and an injection called Denosumab. I have no experience of these meds but take own bought vitamin supplements, exercise and obtain calcium through diet.
I googled AlgaeCal and it seems to be a great combo (calcium, magnesium, Vit D, K2 & boron) but sounds very expensive.
Injectable Denosumab is effective but can cause flu like symptoms. One of the best treatments is Strontium Ranelate (not a bisphosphonate)
I took this successfully for two years with no side effects. Sadly it was withdrawn because of potential cardiac events. I believe it recently became available again for people whose DEXA scores indicate that effective treatment is essential. It is still contra indicated though in cases of heart disease or hypertension.
Oh, thats a shame they stopped it if was working for you.
My DEXA score started improving after medicating T3 and HRT for just a couple of years. Incredible. I've had about fours DEXA's now and each one a little bit better 😁. Shame I have to source my own T3 meds though!
GP will put me back on it if I pass the ‘Cardiovascular event’ test when I next see him. My words not his
Sadly my DEXAs are getting worse and worse. The Incredible Shrinking Woman. My scores began to decline when my health prevented the brisk daily walking I used to do.
I was prescribed a combo pill of calcium and vitamin D for osteopenia by the NHS but it also contained aspartame so I didn't take it ( gave me headaches). Since then I've read scary things about most calcium supplements and how a combination of several nutrients, including magnesium, vitamin D and zinc, and not supplementing calcium, is the best approach.
My physiotherapist told me to jump up and down on the spot ! Apparently bones need the slight shock of this to make them rebuild. Walking up and down stairs also helps maintain bones.
I personally would not take Alendrotnic acid, I googled it and it seems to cause as many problems as it it supposed to help. Even my GP is not keen on it.
I take boron, D, K2 and use a magnesium spray on my body after my shower( I make it with Epsom salts, cost pennies) I don’t touch calcium as it’s chalk and I don’t want to be ingesting that.
I take calcium (but my levels are low otherwise I might not), Vitamin D, K2 and magnesium. I also take HRT and do weight bearing exercise. My recent bone density scan has stayed the same as it was 7 years ago, which I am thrilled about, as I only recently started exercising and the HRT about 18 months ago.
That’s absolutely your choice. But topical HRT is actually no more risky than a glass of wine twice a week. For me the benefits far outweigh the minor risks.
Suzi, there was a Summit recently with many experts on the topic. You can no longer hear their interview but you can go to their websites. Here is a list of all the speakers and a link to their websites. You will get some excellent information. Dr. Gersh is especially notable. bonehealth.byhealthmeans.co...
My Mum is hypo & has been on Levothyroxine for decades- she was later discovered to have extremely low D3 & now has osteoporosis. She reacted badly to alendronic acid, then had denusomab injections but a side effect of those is necrosis of the jaw & she now has big tooth problems with lots of dental work needing to be done, so they are going to suggest something else! Bones do need impact to stimulate the bone growth, but if you can’t jump, exercising the muscles also has an effect because the muscles squeeze the bones as you contract them, so if you are able to do static weight exercises (with a professional trainer if possible) this will help - you can even use tins of food, or water filled containers as weights.
That’s why weights would be good for the bones, also I can highly recommend meltmethod.com - it is based in America but has some free videos on YouTube as well as loads on subscription. She uses a soft roller and some specialist balls, a soft roller you can get here or you can use a rolled up towel, but the balls are expensive & best bought from a UK Melt Method teacher. Look up her video for pelvic issues because it may really help with the incontinence issues. (I am a movement teacher myself in Gyrotonic method & teach a few online classes if you are interested).
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