A GP at the surgery is insisting on a dexa scan as my TSH has been suppressed since I trialled T3, and she’s adamant I’m to reduce my levo dose (see my last two posts if more information needed).
My question is, I had dire vitamin D levels of 22 and deficiency for I suspect at least 7 years whilst carrying/breastfeeding two babies, and only since I discovered this forum have been able to get my levels to around 100. I know I was deficient as my babies have just been confirmed deficient in the womb shown in their teeth, my eldest is almost 12.
I just wondered if 7 years of D deficiency could affect the results of my Dexa scan this month. My deficiency was discovered around 5.5 years ago, and I’ve taken a decent dose ever since to keep my levels satisfactory to me.
Many thanks
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CornishChick
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I'm currently considering a similar situation (though not had children) as I had a severe vitamin D deficiency over 10 years ago only discovered by a locum GP. I was given loading doses at the time. Was not aware that I should have been checking levels and to supplement ongoing.
After breaking my arm during lockdown (no scan suggested) but after eventually getting an endo referral it was then 3years later that I had a DEXA scan and was recently told I have osteoporosis in my spine. I'm wondering now if I've had osteoporosis for over ten years but didn't know?
Also make sure you get a copy of your scan results as I was initially told my scan was fine by endo surgeon, nurse and a gp. It was only after my first endo appointment after thyroid surgery that I was asked 'What treatment are you having for your osteoporosis!?'
A DEXA will show whether or not you have osteoporosis or even osteopenia which is pre osteoporosis. I’m not sure how old you are but it sounds like you are still fairly young - not ‘ancient’ like me.
I think the thing is that hopefully you have time to work on building up your bones with diet, vitamins and exercise but your children are young so you definitely have time to work on their bones.
Look on this website for information about diet and exercise theros.org.uk There is a page / leaflet for calcium containing foods and another for vitamin D containing foods and advice on exercise.
Firstly, let’s knock on the head the idea that any GP can ‘insist’ that you have any test, procedure or medication.
That said, it may be useful to have a DEXA scan as you’ve been deficient in Vitamin D. If your scores do show Osteopenia of Osteoporosis your GP may ‘jump’ on this in an attempt to justify lowering your Levo. At least she doesn’t want to lower your T3.
Do you have the results of any blood tests you can share (with ranges 😉)?
yes, it will affect your results. To quieten your GP down, why not cancel the appointment and rebook it for six months later? This will allow you time to improve with Vitamin D and calcium/magnesium supplements or rich foods. Vitamin K2 also helps with building bones as well as exercises and even walking more can help.
Thank you, I’ve been doing the right exercise all my life, and taken 3k vitamin D a day for 5.5 years plus magnesium and K2. Spoke to the osteoporosis charity nurse today and she said my bones should have recovered by now.
It might be a good idea then to get the scan now. They said my bones might be affected because of my TSH being zero. So I did a dexa scan last year. They were perfectly normal for someone my age. Don't let them scare you!
If your scan reveals you have Osteoporosis or Osteopenia it won’t be able to tell the doctors its from T3 use and you could argue that you were deficient of Vitamin D for 7 years before it was discovered and also affected your children.
I had 2 Dexa scans 10 years apart first scan revealed osteopenia (NO T3 no levo) and my second scan also revealed osteopenia (on T3 and levo) … In my opinion T3 and levo does not cause Osteopenia or Osteoporosis.
im no expert on vit d levels , but my gp checked my cortisol and found i was deficient in vit, d. - he made me take a massive dose of it and then told me to keep taking the normal ones you get from the chemist,
If i were you id get another test done and send your details in to one of the main people her who can read blood tests, and dexa scans , but ive never heard of decreasing levothyroxine, ive only had mine increased, not decreased,, unti they say im optimally medicted, ithink is the term they use !
i hope ive been of some help, but i know with thyroid trouble your vit d levels can suffer - good luck
im no expert on vit d levels , but my gp checked my cortisol and found i was deficient in vit, d. - he made me take a massive dose of it and then told me to keep taking the normal ones you get from the chemist,
If i were you id get another test done and send your details in to one of the main people her who can read blood tests, and dexa scans , but ive never heard of decreasing levothyroxine, ive only had mine increased, not decreased,, unti they say im optimally medicted, ithink is the term they use !
i hope ive been of some help, but i know with thyroid trouble your vit d levels can suffer - good luck
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