Osteopenia

[twe0708]

Just wondering if anyone was diagnosed with this and what they did for treatment. I know you need to take more calcium and I am with extra vitamin D. My doc recommended I go to a Rheumatologist and I just think that I need to take my extra calcium for now and see what happens instead of going to another doctor who could just tell me the same thing. When I asked my doctor why I needed to go and see this specialist when I already know I need more calcium he said to see if he thinks I need to take a prescribed calcium supplement (like Sally Fields recommends on tv). I don't know how they would be able to tell if I need a stronger dose unless I already tried the regular calcium supplement on my own. Plus, I am working out which also helps. I am only 40, so has anyone else had this same diagnoses and what was their treatment? My test results were just border line osteopenia and weren't close to osteoporosis.

[WW340]

The problem is that you are too young to be having osteopenia. Your doctor wants you to see someone that deals with the disease more often and knows more about it. You could probably benefit from further testing.

I am in my 50's and have severe osteoporosis. I was found to be extremely low on vitamin d. I still don't absorb calcium well, and have a PTH problem. I have to take a huge amount of prescription vit. d in order to keep my levels up.

The prescription treatment Sally Fields promotes is not a calcium supplement. It is a Bisphosphonate. You still have to take calcium and vitamin d with it.

I see a specialist in Osteoporosis. It is the same doctor that does my bone density studies. You might be better off with someone like that.

[Wolicki]

I was dx with osteopenia AND osteoporosis (different joints) at 34! Turns out, the AMA says I should have been tested for Celiac back then. Ive been on D and calcium for three years. I also get a Reclast injection once a year. Through comprehensive blood testing at UMMC, I found out I have a metabolic bone disorder caused by Vitamin

D deficiency. My results were in the normal range, but on the low end. Further testing showed that my PTH was high and some other viramin absorption issues. Now on MEGA prescription D, and doc says it will resolve itself.

Weight bearing exercise, lots of D and Calcium and an annual bone scan is the rx for most.

[Gemini]

Just wondering if anyone was diagnosed with this and what they did for treatment. I know you need to take more calcium and I am with extra vitamin D. My doc recommended I go to a Rheumatologist and I just think that I need to take my extra calcium for now and see what happens instead of going to another doctor who could just tell me the same thing. When I asked my doctor why I needed to go and see this specialist when I already know I need more calcium he said to see if he thinks I need to take a prescribed calcium supplement (like Sally Fields recommends on tv). I don't know how they would be able to tell if I need a stronger dose unless I already tried the regular calcium supplement on my own. Plus, I am working out which also helps. I am only 40, so has anyone else had this same diagnoses and what was their treatment? My test results were just border line osteopenia and weren't close to osteoporosis.

I have osteopenia and my spinal measurement was inching towards osteoporosis when I had a bone scan about 3 years ago. I have physicals every 3 years so have no clue how things are going until my next visit in February. To be honest, I take a boatload of calcium using supplements which can only be obtained through a physician. It is not a Rx but one of the best supplements out there. I also take magnesium and a large dose Vitamin D daily.

Not interested in taking any of the Rx bone meds as the side effects can be devastating to some people. I am having a dental implant started in January and you cannot take these meds if you are having dental work done or you very well end up with jaw necrosis and there is no fix for that. There is a disclaimer on these meds warning of this so I have declined their use.

If you have not gone through menopause yet, the odds of your bone rebuilding on supplements alone is very good. Exercise helps but you don't have to go crazy with it. Regular, consistent exercise is more important. I am not so good with this as I work 50 hours per week so fitting it in regularly is difficult. I get it in where I can. Estrogen is important to bone formation so that is why you most likely will do fine. I use bio-identical estrogen and progesterone as I am post-menopausal.

Having softer bones does not mean you will fall apart in old age. Many people have this and do just fine. It is important to keep your weight down and to remain flexible and active. These alone can prevent you from falling when older, which is the real issue with having softer bones. I have never broken a bone in my life and probably have had osteopenia for many years and never knew it until I was diagnosed with celiac disease. I am thin and flexible and have had some pretty good falls when I hiked....never broke anything. I fell down a flight of stairs after slipping on a penny that was there (never saw the thing!) and didn't hurt myself at all so, as you can see, having softer bones doesn't necessarily mean you'll start snapping them like toothpicks. Keep it all in perspective but make sure to take good supplements and do not cheat on your diet so you can heal and start to absorb.

I am with you......I would take supplements for a year and do your thing and see if things improve before going to another doctor for more tests. They will most likely pressure you into taking meds and you may not need them. You have beginner osteopenia so you should heal well but follow the diet closely..that is the most important thing you can do! Good luck with everything!

[tarnalberry]

don't forget to take magnesium (in a 1:2 ration w/ calcium) as well.

[twe0708]

Thank you everyone for the advice. I am currently taking One Nature Made Multi Vitamin in the morning which contains Calcium 10 mg (only 10%) with an additional Nature Made Calcium Magnesium Zinc with Vitamin D which is 333mg of Calcium and then I take another one of these at night. Is that enough Calcium? Seems like everyone else is taking around 1500 mg a day!

[Roda]

I have osteopenia and my spinal measurement was inching towards osteoporosis when I had a bone scan about 3 years ago. I have physicals every 3 years so have no clue how things are going until my next visit in February. To be honest, I take a boatload of calcium using supplements which can only be obtained through a physician. It is not a Rx but one of the best supplements out there. I also take magnesium and a large dose Vitamin D daily.

Not interested in taking any of the Rx bone meds as the side effects can be devastating to some people. I am having a dental implant started in January and you cannot take these meds if you are having dental work done or you very well end up with jaw necrosis and there is no fix for that. There is a disclaimer on these meds warning of this so I have declined their use.

Just a little thought on the rx bone meds. My mom cannot tolerate any of them. She started having jaw issues and muscle problems. When she went off of them it went away. Her doctor does not recommend any of them for her. She takes vitamin d and calcium faithfully and her last bone density test has good results.

[Gemini]

Just a little thought on the rx bone meds. My mom cannot tolerate any of them. She started having jaw issues and muscle problems. When she went off of them it went away. Her doctor does not recommend any of them for her. She takes vitamin d and calcium faithfully and her last bone density test has good results.

Thanks for posting your mother's experience! Doctors do a lousy job of warning patients about potential side effects of these drugs and they are very real and can be dangerous. I also believe that Celiacs, especially, ought to be skeptical about their use. They are very corrosive to the gut and we have enough problems maintaining gut health without messing it up taking these bone meds. Some can tolerate them, some cannot.

I am a firm believer in trying to fix things the natural way. It may take longer but you don't have to worry about side effects. If you are absorbing again, you should be able to make bone from the calcium, magnesium and Vit. D that you take, along with moving your butt more often!

twe0708....I think the number for pre-menopausal women is around 1200 mg per day and post menopausal is 1500 mg. I would take the 1500 for a while, to give you a jump start on recovery and

to compensate for healing time that is needed before your gut is in full recovery mode. Also, do not take your calcium supplement all in one dose as your body can only absorb so much at one time. I break mine up into 3, 500mg. doses and take them apart from drinks containing tannins. These include coffee, tea, red wine to name a few. Tannins inhibit absorption of vitamins and minerals. Give it a couple of hours after ingesting any tannin containing foods/beverages.

One more thing to thoroughly make your head spin.....if you are taking an iron supplement also, calcium needs to be taken at least 4 hours apart from this. Calcium will inhibit iron absorption. It may take a little time to work out a schedule for your pills but it's worth the extra effort as you spend good money on supplements and want them to work as best they can. I came up with a system and literally swallow pills off and on all day long but I wanna get better! Good luck!

[twe0708]

Thanks for posting your mother's experience! Doctors do a lousy job of warning patients about potential side effects of these drugs and they are very real and can be dangerous. I also believe that Celiacs, especially, ought to be skeptical about their use. They are very corrosive to the gut and we have enough problems maintaining gut health without messing it up taking these bone meds. Some can tolerate them, some cannot.

I am a firm believer in trying to fix things the natural way. It may take longer but you don't have to worry about side effects. If you are absorbing again, you should be able to make bone from the calcium, magnesium and Vit. D that you take, along with moving your butt more often!

twe0708....I think the number for pre-menopausal women is around 1200 mg per day and post menopausal is 1500 mg. I would take the 1500 for a while, to give you a jump start on recovery and

to compensate for healing time that is needed before your gut is in full recovery mode. Also, do not take your calcium supplement all in one dose as your body can only absorb so much at one time. I break mine up into 3, 500mg. doses and take them apart from drinks containing tannins. These include coffee, tea, red wine to name a few. Tannins inhibit absorption of vitamins and minerals. Give it a couple of hours after ingesting any tannin containing foods/beverages.

One more thing to thoroughly make your head spin.....if you are taking an iron supplement also, calcium needs to be taken at least 4 hours apart from this. Calcium will inhibit iron absorption. It may take a little time to work out a schedule for your pills but it's worth the extra effort as you spend good money on supplements and want them to work as best they can. I came up with a system and literally swallow pills off and on all day long but I wanna get better! Good luck!

Thanks! I was taking my iron with my calcium at night and shortly after a glass of red wine with dinner.

[kellylynn]

I was dx at 25. It was very upsetting for me. Vitamin D is huge! i've been taking 8000iu's of D3/day + Citrical under my dr.'s supervision. Since doing this regimen and being on gluten-free diet, my osteopenia is improving! There is so much out there about the benefits of Vitamin D...it is so important!