Unrelated quesition about osteoporosis

[Ihurt]

HI everyone.

I have a question that is unrelated to my issues. I just am not sure what to think. My husband who is 33 years old had a done density scan last year and it showed he has some osteopenia in his back and hip. He started taking 1000mg of calcium citrate and 5000 IU of VitD and magnesium daily since. Well he had his yearly scan again yesterday and his back is better, but not he has Osteoporosis in his hip! His T score was 2.54 or something like that. I am not sure what that means. His doctor was not sure why he has this. She gave him Boniva. Of course He is not going to take that. I am researching this and think he needs to find out WHY this is happening. I mean he is a 33 year old male, this is NOT normal. I am a bit concerned. Anyone else heard of this before in a Male this young? I know certain disorders like kidney, lung, intestinal, and thyroid can cause issues. His doctor did blood work yesterday, but I am thinking about making an appt. with an endocrinologist to check into this. Any ideas or suggestions?? I am worried....

 

[mickey]

Is he pretty sedentary? Never heard in someone that young, but I know the only way to improve it is physical exercise, weights. Good that he is taking calcium and Vit D; that will help. Note that the calcium can sometimes constipate. There are various forms of calcium and you may need to play around with it (powder form is another alternative). I have annual scans and one year all even, next spine is off the chart (good) and one hip lower, etc...it does fluctuate. However, I have found a good masseuse who seems to have made a world of difference as well (besides weekly workouts). Keep searching!

 

[Ihurt]

Thanks for the reply. Yeah, I am a bit concerned due to his young age as well. I mean and him being a male and all at such a young age, this is unusual. I have been reading that a lot of different things can be causing this. He is a teacher so he is on his feet ALL day. He never sits down, so I am not sure. What doe these T scores mean?? His was a -2.54 I think. what does this mean? I mean are there different degrees to how bad it is?

I am going to try and get him an appt. with an endocrinologist so he can have his thyroid and whatever else checked. I mean I just don't understand that when he was dx with the osteopenia last year he started taking the high dose of calcium citrate and VitD, but yet he still progressed to Osteoporosis in his hip. This is what is concerning to me. I will check out the powder form of calcium. Right now he is taking a capsule form by Solary. It is his age and having this that is worrisome to me.

Thanks for the reply and advice, I appreciate it.

 

[Beach]

What might be of help for your husband is taking vitamin K2. I believe vitamin D3 is associated with increasing the absorption of calcium and phosphorous, while it is said that vitamin K2 works with D3 and helps place the minerals where they should be. Avoiding foods high in phytic acid should help also i'd guess.

An article with a mention on this ~

"Homegrown osteoporosis prevention and reversal"

http://blog.trackyourplaque.com/2010/09/homegrown-osteoporosis-prevention-and-reversal.html

snippet from Dr. Davis's article:

...2) Vitamin K2–If you lived in Japan, you would be prescribed vitamin K2. While it’s odd that K2 is a “drug” in Japan, it means that it enjoys the validation required for approval through their FDA-equivalent. Prescription K2 (as MK-4 or menatetranone) at doses of 15,000-45,000 mcg per day (15-45 mg), improves bone architecture, even when administered by itself. However, K2 works best when part of a broader program of bone health. I advise 1000 mcg per day, preferably a mixture of the short-acting MK-4 and long-acting MK-7. (Emerging data measuring bone resorption markers suggest that lower doses may work nearly as well as the high-dose prescription.)

3) Magnesium–I generally advise supplementation with the well-absorbed forms, magnesium glycinate (400 mg twice per day) or magnesium malate (1200 mg twice per day). Because they are well-absorbed, they are least likely to lead to diarrhea (as magnesium oxide commonly does).

4) Alkaline potassium salts–Potassium as the bicarbonate or the citrate, i.e., alkalinizing forms, are wonderfully effective for preservation or reversal of bone density. Because potassium in large doses is potentially fatal, over-the-counter supplements contain only 99 mg potassium per capsule. I have patients take two capsules twice per day, provided kidney function is normal and there is no history of high potassium.

5) An alkalinizing diet--Animal products are acidic, vegetables and fruits are alkaline. Put them together and you should obtain a slightly net alkaline body pH that preserves bone health. Throw grains like wheat, carbonated soft drinks, or other acids into the mix and you shift the pH balance towards net acid. This powerfully erodes bone. Therefore, avoid grains and never consume carbonated soft drinks. (Readers of this blog know that “healthy, whole grains” should be included in the list of Scams of the Century, along with Bernie Madoff and mortgage-backed securities.)...

 

[UnXmas]

Hey, I've had osteoporosis since I was a child. Sometimes it does happen young, and is not the result of anything you've done.

The T scores (and Z scores) tell you how dense your bones are compared to other people in various demographic groups. This is from Mayo clinic:

Your bone density test results are reported in two numbers: T-score and Z-score.

T-score
Your T-score is your bone density compared with what is normally expected in a healthy young adult of your sex. Your T-score is the number of units — called standard deviations — that your bone density is above or below the average.


T-score

What your score means

-1 and above

Your bone density is considered normal.

Between -1 and -2.5

Your score is a sign of osteopenia, a condition in which bone density is below normal and may lead to osteoporosis.

-2.5 and below

Your bone density indicates you have osteoporosis.


Z-score

Your Z-score is the number of standard deviations above or below what's normally expected for someone of your age, sex, weight, and ethnic or racial origin. If your Z-score is -2 or lower, it may suggest that something other than aging is causing abnormal bone loss. If your doctor can identify the underlying problem, that condition can often be treated and the bone loss slowed or stopped.

 

[Ihurt]

Thanks for the replies everyone, very much appreciated.

My doctor is doing tests on my husband. She has him set for thyroid ultrasound and a kidney ultrasound and also echocardiogram( his triglycerides were at 481!). He does not even eat a high fat diet, so not sure what is going on. One thing I am concerned with is the low bone density though. I mean this is very uncommon in a male his age( 33). I just found out from his mother that there is a hereditary Kidney disease that her father died from and also her fathers brothers 2 kids also had this disease. Great, when it rains it pours. I am looking into this since maybe it has something to do with this whole bone thing. I hope I am wrong on this, I do NOT want him to have this hereditary kidney disease. I do not even know the name of the disease, his mom has no idea She is suppose to call some relative and ask. At this point I am worried sick. Thanks for the replies, I really appreciate it.

 

[Beach]

Thanks for the replies everyone, very much appreciated.

My doctor is doing tests on my husband. She has him set for thyroid ultrasound and a kidney ultrasound and also echocardiogram( his triglycerides were at 481!). He does not even eat a high fat diet, so not sure what is going on. One thing I am concerned with is the low bone density though. I mean this is very uncommon in a male his age( 33). I just found out from his mother that there is a hereditary Kidney disease that her father died from and also her fathers brothers 2 kids also had this disease. Great, when it rains it pours. I am looking into this since maybe it has something to do with this whole bone thing. I hope I am wrong on this, I do NOT want him to have this hereditary kidney disease. I do not even know the name of the disease, his mom has no idea She is suppose to call some relative and ask. At this point I am worried sick. Thanks for the replies, I really appreciate it.

Do you know what your husbands HDL levels are? Are they low? From what I've read high triglycerides which often goes along with low HDL levels tends to indicate diabetes or pre-diabetes.

A good way to lower triglycerides is taking fish oil and avoiding carbohydrates.

"Why does fish oil reduce triglycerides?"

http://blog.trackyourplaque.com/2009/11/why-does-fish-oil-reduce-triglycerides.html

 

[Ihurt]

Beach: Thanks for the reply. No, I am not sure what his HDL was. The nurse just said his triglycerides were high. I am assuming his HDL was ok since she did not mention it, but I will call the office and check on Monday( I want to get a copy of the tests anyhow).

I am just trying to piece all this together. I mean that is why I am worried about this whole hereditary kidney disease that his Grandfather had and died of. Not even sure of the name of the disease. My MIL is trying to find out. I mean with the whole osteoporosis I am just wondering if it is connected somehow. Though his Kidney function tests( BUN and Crenatine) were both ok otherwise the doc would have said something. But maybe these tests would not show kidney disease either, I just don't know. His urine dip stick test was normal too so maybe that is a good sign. I just don't know. I know he does drink a couple beers every night. I was reading that beer and alcohol in general can also raise triglycerides. He said he is stopping all alcohol for awhile to see if that helps..

 

[Beach]

Yeah, absolutely that is what one has to do, check everything out and see if an answer can be found. I just saw the high triglyceride levels mention and it reminded me of what I've read about diabetes, which often leads to kidney disease. Not that diabetes is associated with weak bones - at least not that I'm aware of. Just something to keep an eye on.

Fish oil really can do a great job of lowering triglyceride levels. It did for me. There is even a prescription fish oil given just for this. (It's a bit over prices for just being fish oil! In my opinion store bought brand can be just as good.)

Good luck! I enjoy working on genealogy, and not that long ago ran across information on a 2nd great grandfather that had kidney disease. Back then it was being called Blights disease.

 

[amrycrohns]

Stay on the doctors till you get a answer, while sometimes children and young adults have osteoporosis there are some major conditions which can cause it. If everything checks out he may just be one of the unlucky few. I know there is a steriod called Anavar that is used to increase bone density, I think name changed, but should be searchable.

 

[mickey]

I would suggest you keep a file folder of his visits/tests/results, so you can easily refer back. A doc telling you things are high, but without facts is worthless, should you have to refer back to that test with another doc. Be an advocate and demand the results to back their statements. They have to cover their backs anyway, so they should have it. Very important to keep docs, since you never know when you may need them and require access. Good luck!