if you have reduced bone density, how does that affect your ndt dose? ie do you go lower or higher?

[Hidden]

I can't answer the NDT question but the bone density concens me., You may already be addressing that, I don't know so I hope you don't mind me asking. Are you on anything for the reduced bone density?

[Glynisrose]

Personally I would go higher, its not getting enough medication that causes these sorts of problems in the first place!!

[Hidden]

I manage everything myself pretty much due to nhs failures.

Malabsorption due to coeliac, p anaemia, Hashimotos. Neither of which managed properly for many years.

Only took control last year when realised NHS was killing me. Take large calc dose - liquid, to help absorption. Gluten free since last aug so hoping absorption will increased.

Was undermedicated on levo for years - i know that was the main issue. On NDT since sep/Oct last year.

So yes i do what i can, ie NDT, liquid cal and gluten free. I got hold of calc gluconate for IV but have no way of using it which is a pain.

[Heloise]

About a year ago, I started reading warnings about calcium supplementation. Here is an excerpt from summarizing the findings: Over 19 years of follow-up, nearly 12,000 women died -- almost 4,000 dying from cardiovascular disease, about 1,900 from heart disease and 1,100 from stroke, the researchers found.

The highest rates of death were seen among women whose calcium intake was higher than 1,400 milligrams a day, the researchers noted. On the other hand, women who took less than 600 milligrams of calcium a day were also at an increased risk of death.

Moreover, women taking 1,400 milligrams of calcium a day and also using a supplement had even a higher risk of dying than women not using supplements, Michaelsson's group found.

All in all, women getting more than 1,400 milligrams of calcium a day were more than twice as likely to die than women getting 600 to 999 milligrams a day, the researchers said.

I've read that progesterone is very helpful in building bone and if necessary to take calcium, a good magnesium supplement as in glycinate or liquid chloride might be considered along with it.

[mighty_mouse]

Hi

It would be interesting to know if this is a problem initiated by Primary Hypothyroidism i.e. your Thyroid Gland is no longer capable of making the Hormones you require: Advice should not be given without sufficient background info.

I must ask if you are taking Vitamin D3 supplements. Exceeding the Normal Range of 30-->200 nmol/l is as bad as not having enough Vitamin D. It causes calcium to be removed from the bone.

Magnesium is a good suggestion as it works with the system to encourage strong bones.

Do you know what your Parathyroid figures are (PTH)?

The UK Normal Range quoted by Queen's Hospital Romford is 1.3 to 6.8 pmol/l.

The parathyroid is responsible for producing hormones which cause the depositing of calcium, the effects of which are balanced by Calcitonin (thyrocalcitonin) produced primarily by the Thyroid Gland. Excess PTH / Low Cacitonin can lead to calcification of the arterial system and soft tissues such as the heart and pancreas. In the case of the pancreas it can cause calcification that leads to Diabetes [Fibrocalculus Pancretic Diabetes (FCPD)].

If the Thyroid Gland is being overstimulated it may produce excess Calcitonin. That is bad. It will counter the effects of PTH

I am not a doctor, and therefore cannot provide advice you can rely upon. I can only suggest areas for consideration by a purportedly qualified expert.

Regards

Michael

[Hidden]

Thanks all- i recently got hold of mag injections and am injecting 1 - 2 mls weekly. I only got a box of ten and have my 4th shot tomorrow.

Re calcium, i am deficient, like off the scale, so not concerned about taking a high dose. I take liquid calc/zinc/mag with D as was deficient in d also and D levels are coming up slowly.

My thyroid levels are ok according to my comprehensive tests (everything incl RT3). Needless to say i disregard nhs ranges and do my own thing. Two 'unorthodox' specialists have said levels are ok. I have near suppressed tsh and feel LOADS better than when nhs was undermedicating me for years

The bone / calcium issue became apparent following my own efforts and follows years of NHS leaving me with a raised tsh while i felt like sh&t and leaving me to cope with years of chronic diarrhoea (malabsorption). Only got my thyroid health on track recently with ndt and levels that suit me (ie take a dose that reduces symptoms).

Am a bit confused, but I think you are saying calcium issues can be caused by overmedicating the thyroid. These calcium/bone problems came to light after years of NHS undermedication. No way is my current ndt regime causing it.