Okay I need DCUM help on this. Bone density

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m shocked that the doctor prescribed dairy - avoid dairy. It’s an acidic food that at the end of the day, removed calcium stores from your bones. Yes, it has calcium in it but dairy’s acidic composition negated its calcium. One recommendation is your diet. I would look into having a more alkaline diet (ie avoid meats, dairy, etc). Try that for some time and see what works.

Ignore the OP. This person probably sees a chiropractor for leaky gut..


Eat dairy, eat leafy greens.

Take a food based vitamin like New Chapter bone strength or Vitamin Code bone grow. Those both have plant based calcium, D, K2, magnesium. You need all of those together.

Also avoid foods/supplements high in iron when eating or taking a supplement with calcium.

Wanted to clarify...yes eat foods high in iron, just not as the same time/together with something high in calcium. Iron and calcium block each others absorption when taken together.

[Anonymous]

Just to chime in about the calcium. The data on whether calcium supplements work for bone density is mixed - and there is some research showing that excess calcium supplementation relates to heart and other cardiovascular risks. So I would just make sure your doctor is balancing the dosing appropriately for you. I would also suggest asking whether they think your bone density loss is outside the range of typical. We lose density as we age, and with menopause, as you say. If they do think it's at a higher or faster rate than typical, then I would follow up with a specialist, as recommended by PPs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You need to see an endocrinologist. I know it’s not intuitive because they are more frequently thought of for diabetes and thyroid, but bone is controlled by hormones (including vitamin D) and they are the experts at that. It is frankly alarming that you got put on calcium supplements (which do not work) and vitamin D wasn’t measured or addressed.

Weight-bearing exercise. And endocrinology.

Why do calcium supplements not work?

First, because studies show it doesn’t. Second, because dietary calcium doesn’t just migrate to and get deposited in bones—bone formation is a much more complicated process and inadequate dietary calcium is not usually the limiting issue. Measurements of blood calcium levels aren’t a great proxy for calcium availability for bone production, because the body tends to maintain equilibrium in blood even at expense of bone. But- see #1.

Good luck, OP.

[Anonymous]

Op here. Just want to get back to you as to progress.

1) I reached out to my gyn who I really trust, and he also happens to be pretty high up there in our hospital system. He looked at my exam and (over email) he said it was fine, and to do what my primary said, although he recommended only 500mg calcium, and to get tested at the end of the year (not 18 months). I emailed back with my concerns and he said, really I'm okay.

So, his reply created a perfect situation in that I feel like this isn't an impending crisis, which took the anxiety away, but left the previous resolve to not lose any more bone density.

On a PP's advice I decided to go with the Garden of Life Bone Grow. It has magnesium and K2 and strontium and more. I bought it on amazon, but ended up in a boutique-type pharmacy yesterday and they had it. Then coincidentally the person who orders/stocks it was there (I am a little unclear if she was working at the pharmacy or working for Garden of Life). Anyways we got into a huge long conversation about all this and other lifestyle changes.

She said, and it does say on their materials, that in a study of this product, there was actually bone growth. I'm skeptical because the study participants included people under 30, so it could be just those young people who grew bone and skewed the results for all participants. But I don't care because my goal is to just not lose more, and if I manage to gain any, then that's icing on the cake!

This Bone Growth product has two separate pills: the D3/Calcium etc with food twice a day, and their bone growth factor on an empty stomach.

I still plan to check out the endocrinologist. I've been getting the 15,000 steps a day and when I do a particular hike, there is a flat stretch and I'm sprinting it for 10 seconds or so. Wow that sure woke up unused muscles! The first time I did it, the next morning I woke up both sore and euphoric, which was so wild.

I'll go back and re-read to make sure I comprehend some of the PPs dietary replies. Thank you so much, PPs! I'll keep checking back.

[Anonymous]

So no Fosamax or anything similar?

Were you diagnosed with osteoporosis?

I was pronounced menopausal and learned from bone scan that I went from osteopenia to osteoporosis.

Saw Dr Shari Diamond, a rheumatologist who prescribed Fosamax plus calcium supplements plus hard surface running and hiking.

I’m also dairy free (by choice) but make an exception for Swiss cheese - high in calcium.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So no Fosamax or anything similar?

Were you diagnosed with osteoporosis?

I was pronounced menopausal and learned from bone scan that I went from osteopenia to osteoporosis.

Saw Dr Shari Diamond, a rheumatologist who prescribed Fosamax plus calcium supplements plus hard surface running and hiking.

I’m also dairy free (by choice) but make an exception for Swiss cheese - high in calcium.

OP - wanted to ask...are you Asian? Small-to fragile frame? Fair skinned? Anyone in your family have osteoporosis?

I’m all the above except Asian and that makes me at risk for osteoporosis. My parents had osteoporosis. My great grandmother had a horrible stoop/dowagers hump. I still was surprised by my diagnosis (shouldn’t have been, but was) and my older brother was curious about his own bone health and got a Dexa scan. Yes, my 56 year old brother has osteopenia and now takes dr-recommended calcium and will re check in another year.

[Anonymous]

I jump around a lot. The impact helps bones grow.

At my last bone scan, I had osteopenia. It is scary. Fingers crossed I can keep it all at bay.

But a personal trainer relative did say that impact helps so I do that jumping.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I was in the osteopenia for my hip, and on the lower side of normal for my spine. I'm small-boned and white. My doc is an Asian woman of my age, and she grabbed my wrist and said, "you're small boned, Caucasian, I'm small boned, Asian...it's our future" (not like, 'unstoppable' but 'we have to deal with this')

What's interesting about hiking is I've always looked at the uphill as the important part, for the cardio, but now I see the downhill is equally important--and I think I'll jog that more often, to get some more impact.

PP, I'll check into Fosamax, thank you

[Anonymous]

Fosamax is a disastrous drug. The whole class was basically invented to create a diagnosis—osteopenia—and in some cases they make bone fractures more likely. Avoid if possible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:55 y.o. F here. Five years ago, I had a bone density scan, and I was fine.
Last February, in my annual exam, I came up low in calcium and my doctor advised to take some. I did, but was not religious about it.
This year, I was still deficient in calcium, although not as bad. Doc advised me to double up on it, and also wrote me an order for another bone density scan.

Bone scan came back and OMG. In the last five years, there has been a 15.5% decrease in my femur and 12:5 decrease in AP spine. For the femur, fracture risk is "MODERATE."

So, most of you probably know this, but after age 30, you can't get back what you've lost, you can only stop it from getting worse.

We'll do another scan in 18 months. The doctor said you need the interval for the test to be meaningful. Meanwhile, she advised me to do this:

1) Supplement:Calcium: You don't want to either underdo, or overdo it. So try for between 1,000-1,500 mg day.
Vit. D3 2,000IU (50 mcg)

2) Exercise--reset that tracker to minimum 15,000 steps a day. hike. walk. Don't have to do weights if I do the 15,000 steps. Consider Pilates, too.

3) Eat every day: dairy, dark green veggies (one serving is 200-300mg)


So, my next door neighbor said, oh, you need the liquid, with Magnesium Citrate. I thought, shoot, the doctor didn't specify that, am I missing something? So then I was in the pharmacy to get my neighbor's recommended product, and the person helping me grabbed some Strontium pills and said I should take these too. And I'm thinking, crap, am I missing something here?

Which leads me to my question for DCUM:

Since there is no getting lost bone density back, I don't want to screw up here and find out 18 months later that I've lost more. So, am I missing anything? Should I see some specialist (if so, what kind)? Is there some complete formula people like?

Thank you in advance!

OP, that isn’t true. Three years ago, my dexa scan showed a concerning bone loss. I started weight lifting. I just got back my recent results and my bone density has increased by >10%. Previously I was walking ~18,000 steps a day and was experiencing progressive bone loss. I am now considered no longer in an at risk status and I am wnl. I lift heavy three times a week along with aerobic activity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:55 y.o. F here. Five years ago, I had a bone density scan, and I was fine.
Last February, in my annual exam, I came up low in calcium and my doctor advised to take some. I did, but was not religious about it.
This year, I was still deficient in calcium, although not as bad. Doc advised me to double up on it, and also wrote me an order for another bone density scan.

Bone scan came back and OMG. In the last five years, there has been a 15.5% decrease in my femur and 12:5 decrease in AP spine. For the femur, fracture risk is "MODERATE."

So, most of you probably know this, but after age 30, you can't get back what you've lost, you can only stop it from getting worse.

We'll do another scan in 18 months. The doctor said you need the interval for the test to be meaningful. Meanwhile, she advised me to do this:

1) Supplement:Calcium: You don't want to either underdo, or overdo it. So try for between 1,000-1,500 mg day.
Vit. D3 2,000IU (50 mcg)

2) Exercise--reset that tracker to minimum 15,000 steps a day. hike. walk. Don't have to do weights if I do the 15,000 steps. Consider Pilates, too.

3) Eat every day: dairy, dark green veggies (one serving is 200-300mg)


So, my next door neighbor said, oh, you need the liquid, with Magnesium Citrate. I thought, shoot, the doctor didn't specify that, am I missing something? So then I was in the pharmacy to get my neighbor's recommended product, and the person helping me grabbed some Strontium pills and said I should take these too. And I'm thinking, crap, am I missing something here?

Which leads me to my question for DCUM:

Since there is no getting lost bone density back, I don't want to screw up here and find out 18 months later that I've lost more. So, am I missing anything? Should I see some specialist (if so, what kind)? Is there some complete formula people like?

Thank you in advance!

OP, that isn’t true. Three years ago, my dexa scan showed a concerning bone loss. I started weight lifting. I just got back my recent results and my bone density has increased by >10%. Previously I was walking ~18,000 steps a day and was experiencing progressive bone loss. I am now considered no longer in an at risk status and I am wnl. I lift heavy three times a week along with aerobic activity.

This is really helpful. Would you mind saying how you developed a weightlifting routine? Did you get a personal trainer, or go to a gym? Do you follow a particular routine? I am looking for guidance on getting a good routine in place, and then hoping to avoid going to the gym. Thanks for any tips you can give.

[Anonymous]

PP here. I started CrossFit and stuck with it. I had no idea this would be one of the benefits. And I’m much older than you so my doctor was ecstatic to see this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP here. I started CrossFit and stuck with it. I had no idea this would be one of the benefits. And I’m much older than you so my doctor was ecstatic to see this.

Thanks PP! I don’t have the money or time to do CrossFit, but I’ll look into how I could replicate some of the exercises at home. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Does magnesium have side effects? I believe it makes me sleepy.

[Anonymous]

Can someone explain what weight bearing exercise is and why it’s important? Is it your own weight to be borne or like hand weights?