Meaning of low blood calcium levels??

[BirdBones]

What does it mean if your blood Calcium levels are low? I have severe osteoporosis with T scores of -2.8. Thanks if you can shed light on the interpretation of low blood calcium levels! Will grateful appreciate!

Birdbones

[Met00]

When you say "low calcium levels", do you mean the low end of the normal range, or below normal? Have you had your Vit D and parathyroid levels checked?

I'm also wondering why you've been told you have severe osteoporosis? Are you pre-menopausal and/or have you had a fragility fracture? If not, -2.8 isn't that bad a score.

[BirdBones in reply to Met00]

Thanks for replying! My Vit D and parathyroid levels are normal. I am 76 yr and had an emergency partial hysterectomy (ovaries left in) at age 30. My "Intact PTH = 16 pg/ml (standard range is 18.4-80.1) and was flagged as Low. My blood cacium is ok but my low PTH (Parathyroid) score is supposed to indicate that there is less than optimal Ca in the blood which I thought would be good news since that should mean less CA is being pulled out of my bones and into my blood? Hard to get answers to this. Was hoping someone on this blog could help me figure it out. They are pushing hard for me to take medication for my "severe osteoporosis" (T score of -2.8). I am horrified by the side effect I read about it. I am loath to take such medication which forces a lifetime regime on you (if you stop, your bones fracture because you did take the medication and then stopped). I am really desperate for good information. Thanks!

[Met00 in reply to BirdBones]

I don't know much about the parathyroid, but if your level is low I'd have thought the first approach would be to find out why and address that. If your doctor simply says take osteoporosis meds, perhaps you could see another doctor for a second opinion? Have you had any fragility fractures? If not, that's a really good score for your age (if you have fractured, the score is irrelevant). We all lose bone density as we age. Have you been given your z-scores? In some ways they're more useful as they compare your estimated bone density with the average for your age.

[BirdBones in reply to Met00]

thanks! No Z scores but now I will ask for them. Did not know that this was a good score for my age. No fragility fractures (yet).

[trishbindefeld in reply to BirdBones]

When you say your vitamin D levels are normal. I wonder what you mean? The NHS has very low standards for “normal” and GPs on the whole have very little understanding of vitamins and minerals.

If you are in the UK i commend to you the Facebook group called

Vitamin D and co-factors. UK

You need to know your Vit d level. I am Trying to get mine up to 200nmol which is considered optimum. I started at 89 which is not desperately low. But having come off osteoporosis meds due to side effects I need to do something else. The Vit D activates the calcium in your diet ( i’ve also stopped adcald3) by several hundred percent. I take vitamin K2 mk7 to help direct the calcium into my bones and away from arteries etc and magnesium to keep it in my bones. I also take boron. There’s lots of info in the files on the group I mentioned and lots of well informed people in the group who will help once you’ve read the files. They are also good on parathyroid issues (about which know nothing I’m pleased to say).

Good luck. 😀😀

[sweetsusie in reply to BirdBones]

Don't do it...

[HeronNS]

I agree with Met00 that -2.8 is not a bad score. The rather arbitrary line drawn between low bone mass (aka osteopenia) and osteoporosis is -2.5.

Have a read of this as it will give you some ideas about the ways some of us have managed to avoid taking bone meds and yet still improved our scores. With your t-score I'd be tempted to go this "natural" route for a year before agreeing to take any of the bone meds, all of which come with some level of side effects:

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

Can't help with the calcium question, but again I agree with Met00 that a second opinion could be helpful. The parathyroid issue needs to be cleared up and if you do need treatment for low PTH then that needs to occur before any attempts to improve bone density (natural or with medication) will work.

[BirdBones in reply to HeronNS]

thanks!!! I will start Thai Chi and am grateful to know that my T score of -2.8 is not so bad. Will get my next scores in 2 weeks and hope they are not too terribly bad. Again, thanks so much!!

[Hidden in reply to BirdBones]

I had same score. I am 71. Denosumab was offered me - I say offered, but with some considerable attempt to persuade me. I declined. I followed HeronNS links. I take supplements. In just a few weeks I am feeling better, more energy, better concentration, clarity of thought and memory and I have the energy to laugh and enjoy myself. It's been a while since I did! And, I started Tai Chi again after 10 years!

I hope you get sorted on the parathyroid issue quickly. Onwards and upwards!

[Kathleen22]

-2.8 is not severe. Have you broken any bones? If you are small it is less serious again.

You need to address this with having more calcium, checking your vitamin d levels, having a really good diet of fruit and vegetables, yoghurt, vitamin K2 to put the calcium onto the bones. Things like bony broth are also good.

You can improve your tscores.

[veriterc]

I agree with asking for a second opinion. I've found that some of NHS care is superb, and some is not, so I readily look for / ask for a 2nd opinion.

[Siamang]

I had a -2.6 and rushed in to taking medication which regretted and fortunately able to stop. Now going natural, doing Pilates, a bones class designed to strengthen women’s bones,Stretch class and walk.

I agree need to have proper investigations done and that’s my next step! No point taking extra calcium, vit D etc if not needed!

[Nanaedake]

I could be wrong as I am no expert on the osteo drugs but I don't think all the drugs cause fractures when stopped. For example, Alendronic acid is usually stopped after 5 years and some people take a break from them after 3 years. Your score is not that bad for your age. For example, I am not yet 60 and have same score. Your score might be quite common for women your age whereas it's more a problem for women my age.

[Babyr1996]

Awe I really feel for you but your t score is not at all bad for your age I’m 57 and my t score is -3.9 which is really severe!! I’ve just had first infusion regrettably I’m suffering for it now with side affects. But I agree with its others here see a different GP get a 2nd opinion. Have you been referred to a rheumatologist? I was this year & ive had quite a lot of help with a rheumatology nurse and physio to learn the right exercises to do to help improve bone health.

All the best and hope you get answers you need - but don’t rush into meds unless you have too!!