Osteopenia

by Sue
(US)

Hi Wray. I want to pick your brain to see if you can suggest how to prevent or reverse bone loss.

I was first diagnosed with osteopenia 10 years ago at the age of 44. Since then, I have done pretty much everything advised (except using the bisphosphonates which I know are problematic): I take 6600 IU of Vit D. and my last reading was 84, I use progesterone, I take a bone-health supplement which includes Calcium 750 mg., Magnesium 375 mg., strontium, Vits. K1 & K2, etc. etc. I exercise, don't smoke or drink soft drinks.

Even though I'm making my best attempt to halt the bone loss, every year or 2 when I get my density tested it gets a little bit worse. Do you have any suggestions? I'm at a loss of what to do now and do not look forward to osteoporosis!

Comments for
Osteopenia

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Jul 29, 2011
 How much cream?
by: Annette Canada

Just wondering how much progesterone cream you are using, what brand and for how long?
Aug 04, 2011
 Osteopenia
by: Wray

Hi Sue Well you are doing everything you should be doing! See these papers here, here, here, here, here and here. Your vitamin D is at a very good level, but how long has it been there? It could be just more time is needed. Has your parathyroid hormone been checked? It shouldn't be high, as your vitamin D is high, but please have this done. Parathyroid hormone takes calcium from the bones, to prevent a drop in blood calcium levels. In fact in might be an idea to have a hair analysis done for your calcium and magnesium levels, see here. It could be the ratio of calcium to magnesium is too high. This page here gives more info on osteo. I'm relieved you've resisted the drugs, see here, here, here, here, here, here and here. I'm running out of space so will start a new comment below. Take care Wray
Aug 04, 2011
 Osteopenia
by: Wray

Hi Sue One thing, are you eating enough protein? Contrary to the myth that protein leaches calcium from the bones, the reverse is true. Research has shown that a high protein diet increases bone strength, see here and here. The amino sugars have been found to be critical to strong bones. In particular proteoglycans (PGs) and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). Glucosamine and chondroitin are based on GAG sugar molecules, see here. The amino acid taurine is an important osmolyte, vital in regulating the flow of calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium into and out of all cells. It could be your level is not high enough. Homocysteine has been implicated in osteoporosis, so it would be advisable to have levels checked, and if high take the nutrients needed to lower it, see here. That about all I can offer! Take care Wray
Aug 06, 2011
 Osteopenia
by: Sue

Hi Annette: I use compounded bio-identical progesterone. I've been on it for 10 years. I currently am using over 200 mg. but that is only a recent thing. I think I wasn't using enough in the past. Plus I was using bi-est too and my pg/E2 ratio was way too low, so that could have been the problem. I'm now off the bi-est, and since I raised my progesterone I hope that will help. thanks! Sue
Aug 06, 2011
 Osteopenia
by: Sue

Hi Wray: Here are my Vitamin D readings from the past 3 years...

12/2010 84
2/2010 56
2/2009 61
2/2008 44.5
2/2007 66

No, I've not had my parathyroid level checked. I will get my doc to order it -- is it just a blood test?

I also have not had my calcium & magnesium tested. I just this week started on Dr. Jonathan Wrights' "Osteo-Mins" formula which has optimal proportions of calcium to magnesium, plus lots of strontium and K1 and K2. I also started using magnesium oil on my skin after reading that oral supplementation alone doesn't always get your levels high enough. After I've been on these for a few months, I'll get tested. Where can I get a hair analysis done? Can't this all be checked with a blood test instead?

Regarding protein, I believe I eat plenty: eggs, raw milk, chicken, grass-fed beef, etc.

Can taurine levels and homocysteine levels be tested with a blood test?

I did recently raise my progesterone cream amount, so I hope that all these things will do the trick.

Thank you Wray!
Aug 19, 2011
 osteopenia geting worse
by: Anonymous

Hi Sue,

I find myself in the same position. I just had DEXA scan done today and my hips/ vertebrae are very now very close to osteoporis, have got worse gradually over past 10 yrs. Is there any evidence that this downward trajectory can be halted. How?
Aug 20, 2011
 Osteopenia
by: Wray

Hi Sue Well your vitamin D levels have been good for a number of years, I don't think you need worry about having the parathyroid hormone checked. It is a blood test. I'm pleased you're using more magnesium than calcium, as it's usually low in our soils. Whereas calcium is found in many foods we eat, milk being one, but this has a low level of magnesium. Blood tests can be done for the minerals, but some believe that a hair analysis gives a better idea of status. See the Trace Elements site for more info. Seems your protein intake is good too, so I'm at a loss as to what could be causing the osteopenia. Taurine and homocysteine can be checked with a blood test, you'll probably struggle with the taurine though, and get a strange look too! Take care Wray
Aug 21, 2011
 Osteopenia
by: Sue

Hi Anonymous: I have read that bone loss can be halted AND even reversed by using progesterone and/or supplements like strontium, vit. K, calcium, & magnesium. I haven't found the right amount of either of them yet since I still lose bone each year, so I'm trying Dr. Jonathan Wright's formula called Osteo-Mins, Ancient Minerals magnesium oil, and I'm using more progesterone cream. I'll wait a while then have another DEXA scan and see if it's working. Frustrating!

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