I recently had a bone scan and was very concerned to learn that there had been severe degenerative changes to both my spine and hips which weren't expected as my scan 3 years ago wasn't bad. They did take me off Alendronic Acid 18 months ago at which time I also went gluten and dairy free (found out I had several intolerances which suggested leaky gut).
Had a calcium and vit d test at the surgery (the latter being fine) and the following calcium tests which mean absolutely nothing to me at all so hoping someone with more knowledge can advise as we all know GP's say vitamin levels are fine as long as they are in range.
I'm not sure how to bring Eeyore of Partner into the discussion but would like to do so as this was first spoken about on Eeyore's post on Magnesium which was becoming way too long. Many thanks for any advice.
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Delgor
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Not sure about your test results but it would be worth your while joining the HU site - Bone Health for help with osteoporosis - they are linked to the Royal Osteoporosis Society and you can speak to or email the ROS nurses.
Lack of adequate protein intake is primarily the cause of osteoporosis. Oftentimes women don't eat enough quality protein and our bones are made of a scaffolding consisting of collagen. Into this scaffolding, calcium and phosphate is deposited. Without a good scaffold, the calcium has no place to go.
I'm not sure how to bring Eeyore of Partner into the discussion but would like to do so as this was first spoken about on Eeyore's post on Magnesium which was becoming way too long. Many thanks for any advice.
I'm glad your here Eeoyre! I've just realised that Partner replied to me back on your other post about Magnesium. She did say that the adjusted calcium level is what the endo is most concerned with even if the others are out of range. This has really intrigued me and I would love to know more if anyone else on this forum has anything else to add.
Have you had your PTH tested? You might have Hyperparathyroidism - very common as we age, especially if you are female and have thyroid disease. The parathyroid is a small glad behind the thyroid. If it becomes diseased your PTH will typically be high, and your blood calcium levels will be high as well, with calcium being leached from your bones. Hence, osteoporosis.
To make matters even more complicated, there are multiple versions of Hyperparathyroidism. But the first step if you have osteoporosis is to have your PTH checked.
Hi Bifocle, No, my parathyroid glands have never been tested so that's an avenue for me to investigate. I am a bit of a conundrum as I do have a multi-nodular goitre and apparently although I had 2/3 of my thyroid removed years ago for the same reason it has apparently grown back down one side and also through having leaky gut it is thought that I haven't been absorbing nutrients. Are you actually saying that my calcium levels appear to be high?
it depends. My sister has Hyperparathyroidism and osteoporosis with high PTH and low calcium. It’s a variable disease. She’s fortunate to have found an endo who is knowledgeable about osteoporosis - he tested her PTH immediately. But the symptoms can mimic hypothyroidism, with fatigue, joint pain, bone pain, brain fog, etc.
Thanks so much for that - it's definitely another avenue to explore as it has never been done. Hospital endo not that wonderful and only wants me to come off of thyroid medication completely to which I'm refusing to do as I really don't feel well as it is and so chronically fatigued but perhaps I will need to look privately again .
The chronic fatigue very well could be a parathyroid issue rather than a thyroid issue. It’s an easy blood test and should be the first step after a diagnosis of osteoporosis.
Hi Delgor. Appreciating your post as I was super surprised that my bone scan showed osteoporosis too. Just had it last week and the doc still hasn't responded to me...Grrrrrr. Recent diagnosis of RLS, Hashimoto and now this all since June. I am curious from the group whether levo thyroxine can increase risk of osteoporosis ? I went on it due to thyroid symptoms but only subclinical hypothyroid. Also, thanks for the link about protein. Since all of this I have increased my protein and calcium. I feel a lot of this has to do with menopause too, and I wasn't eligible for HRT. Are you? I will certainly write you as I will be researching the heck out of this and post if I learn anything new! Make sure to read other posts about supplements......
Unfortunately a lot of things seems to have gone wrong with me during the past 2-3 years so I'm gradually trying to get to grips with it all but no I have never been on HRT as I had breast cancer years ago which meant being on Tamoxifen which caused me an early menopause and not allowed HRT. There have been a lot of posts on HRT and peri-menopause recently but obviously I wasn't taking much notice. I believe Smiling Jane found an answer for RLS after years of suffering with it so it might be worth contacting her if you have no joy on this one. I was on Alendronic Acid with Calcium tablets for 5 years which they took me off around 18 months ago - have since learnt from this forum that it's unwise to take calcium tablets as they circulate in the blood and can end up in the arteries and that it's better to take vit D with K2 - still don't know at the moment whether I should be taking K2 as well as AA - need to investigate further. I've never heard of any thyroid meds causing bone problems as such as long as you don't over-medicate which sadly I may have done as I never knew the correct protocol for testing until joining this forum ie 24 hours to be left after taking Levo and then splitting T3 or NDT the day before and making sure only 8-12 hours are left before testing.
Obviously a diet rich in protein and calcium can only be good - I went gluten and dairy free nearly 2 years ago and that's why I asked for the calcium test to ensure that I was still getting enough from other foods. I've been taking vit D for years but never knew that I needed Magnesium as well for better absorption - have learnt so much from the lovely people on this forum! Nobody can tell me why my latest bone scan was so awful but I'm a bit of a complicated case and can only keep reading and asking questions as obviously I want to feel as good as possible even though I'm now getting on in years. Hope some of this helps and that we may both find more answers to everything. Take Care!
Did you ever look back into HRT as the newer transdermal body identical estrogen would certainly be an option for you now and is essential for good bone health?
Hi, I was intrigued by your not being eligible for HRT? How can that be? The new transdermal and body identical are considered safe for all and life without is akin to being hypo 😕
Hi Eeyore, So sorry but I'm clearly not very well at the moment and now wonder after seeing the latest post on HU whether it's the Armour Thyroid which is the culprit and not suiting me - so difficult to know when so many other things are not right. Keep up the good work as you surely are keeping people amused and you should be applauded for that alone😄😄
Just had a look at the Armour feed.... looks like you may have found the culprit! I've not dabbled with NDT's as they seem a whole other beast. Good to have a lead 🙏
I can't thank you enough for your support - kind words from a fellow sufferer can make all the difference when one is feeling is down. Won't embarrass you by sending you a kiss but hope you will accept a big fat hug😙
You will get there, it'll be like the sun suddenly coming out on the greyest day. Big fat hug gratefully accepted and returned... to just before that awkward point when it almost becomes wrestling 😏
I was scrolling through the search engine and came across your post. Have you found anything to help ? You mentioned you have a dairy intolerance and I'm wondering if you would consider trying goat kefir. The molecular structure is smaller than cows and the fermented process lends it to be more digestible. Several ppl with dairy intolerances are fine on A2 milk. I have tummy issues and have been more than fine with goat kefir.
Sardines with bones are a good source of calcium. Another option is getting calcium from animal bones in a supplement form. I'll add a pic of 2 companies that I like, Heart and Soil and Ancestral supplements. I'm more familiar with the Ancestral supplements because I use a few of their products.
Thank you for your suggestions Imaaan - it's very kind of you! Yes I do eat sardines regularly and also eat goats kefir but I haven't tried the supplements mentioned so will definitely look into them. I very often read someone's post and then start reading related posts and it's amazing how much knowledge and tips I have gained from this forum😁
I never did reply to your question about trying HRT - I may look into this at a later date but currently waiting to see a rheumy as I definitely think I've got arthritis as well as osteoporosis and latterly now have Raynaulds Syndrome to add to the list😢 I'm definitely not going to make "old bones" but at least I can try to do everything possible to look after the ones I've got😄
That's funny I'm just chatting with Citrinesun about HRT and Raynaud's (sufferer also) as estrogen imbalance is thought to make it worse... I really think you should take another look at the new body identical HRT 🤗
Shan't stop nagging till you do 🙃worth exploring as it will aid your thyroid too, it's like servicing your car and topping things up
Oh I'm definitely not ruling anything out Eeyore but need to take one step at a time in order to eliminate things so don't start nagging me or I will get Piglet and Winnie on to you😂
Don't want you suffering any more than you need to, as it is an easy avenue compared to this other nonsense we have to battle with and quite transformational across the board with many protective health benefits especially heart and bone ☮🤗
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