Dexa bone scan

I have had osteopenia for a while and the latest scan showed an area of osteoporosis in my left femoral neck. I have an annual infusion, I have had two so far, and take supplements of calcium, vitamin K2 which helps the body absorb the calcium, boron and vitamin D.

Luckygirl3

Hysterectomy (with or without removal of ovaries) is known to increase the risk of osteoporosis - lots of scientific evidence.

I rang my surgery and I had my hysterectomy when I was 55 I distinctly remember them asking me if I wanted the ovaries left and I said no, (I had a fear of ovarian cancer)
Thank you all so much for your advice.Bythe looks of it I need maybe get a vitamin C tablet,I go out in the Sun as little as possible as I don’t like the heat so I will keep taking my vitamin D capsule..

This is the advice from NHS England:

www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-d/

As far as I know, this was the advice before the pandemic. I guess the issue was during lockdown was that people weren't going outdoors so often, so weren't getting enough sunlight. There was also some idea at one stage that Vitamin D protected from Covid.

My rheumatology consultant told me random blood tests in the north west where I live, would show everyone short on vit d by february

I'd like to know which it is, because I have seen both views expressed, and the vitamin d makes me really nauseous.
I thought the idea of everyone taking it began during the pandemic?

SueDonim

Your consultant is out of the step with the Scottish Government when it comes to Vit D, Marydoll. It’s recommended that everyone takes Vit D in winter because we simply can’t get enough in the dark days. It’s only stored in the body for a couple of months so by December people will start running low.

www.foodstandards.gov.scot/consumers/healthy-eating/nutrition/vitamins-minerals/vitamin-d

My consultant is respected professor, Sue. Well he was, the last time I was at the endinocronolgy and specialised bone mineral clinics. 😱 Oh dear.
However, I am sure my fellow Gransnetters know better. .

It has not been recommended that it is taken all year round, only October to March.

I would agree with you SueDonim - and growstuff

I am the third generation of the family to have Osteoporosis and was suggesting to my 55 year old daughter last night that she gets a Dexa scan done to see where she is. I don’t claim to understand it all but I know the rate of bone renewal is important. Mine must hereditary as we were all a well fed lot. I had Alendronic acid for 5 years and now take Vitamin D and Calcium. My hip measurement now shows Osteopaenia so some slight improvement.

Your consultant is out of the step with the Scottish Government when it comes to Vit D, Marydoll. It’s recommended that everyone takes Vit D in winter because we simply can’t get enough in the dark days. It’s only stored in the body for a couple of months so by December people will start running low.

www.foodstandards.gov.scot/consumers/healthy-eating/nutrition/vitamins-minerals/vitamin-d

I have Osteoperosis, and have fallen many times. I also have AMD and from what I have read, your balance goes. WELL, my balance has certainly disappeared.

Peak bone mass is achieved by late teens and declines with age. That's why it's so important that children have adequate calcium - and why we all had to drink milk at school.

I've been advised to eat meat by well, every medic I've encountered in the last couple of years.
I do eat it occasionally, but not enough, apparently.

Hetty58

I have strong bones on a vegan diet. I do have tests every year anyway but plant-based calcium sources are often absorbed better than dairy-based. I do eat a lot of cabbage, kale and broccoli, tofu and almonds - so, along with beans, my calcium intake is good. Soya milk is fortified with vitamin D as well. I'm not so good at avoiding caffeine, though (love coffee) but don't have alcohol, cola, wheat bran, salt (and not much spinach or rhubarb) so try to avoid things that deplete intake.

It's the opposite. Calcium from animal sources are absorbed at a higher rate than plant-based calcium.

I have strong bones on a vegan diet. I do have tests every year anyway but plant-based calcium sources are often absorbed better than dairy-based. I do eat a lot of cabbage, kale and broccoli, tofu and almonds - so, along with beans, my calcium intake is good. Soya milk is fortified with vitamin D as well. I'm not so good at avoiding caffeine, though (love coffee) but don't have alcohol, cola, wheat bran, salt (and not much spinach or rhubarb) so try to avoid things that deplete intake.

Yes, I have it too, with discs slipping out and nerve issues around them.

My poor mum was totally disfigured and disabled by it by the time she died.
She had been and tried still to be, incredibly active.

Well I have osteoporosis despite having an active life style also had a job that kept me on my feet. I take raloxifene and vitd with calcium.
Trying to do appropriate exercises but certainly don’t keep them up daily. I do feel resentful but know it’s due to early hysterectomy and hypothyroidism in part.

Luckygirl I had the lot removed including my cervix. I have been told it doesn't increase my risk of having osteoporosis even though my mom had it. And I have strong bones. After my hysterectomy was on HRT for 16 years but taken off it because at the time they said it would increase my risk of breast cancer. I have friends who have breast cancer never had hysterectomy or HRT . Like everything in life it's just one of those things what you get.

If you smoke or a heavy drinker than that can put you more at risk of cancer . But people who never smoke or drink get lung and liver cancer.

When I was younger a study said the more sexual partners you have increases your risk of cervical cancer and yet women who never had sex still got it.

What our bodies do we have no control over things just happen for no reason.

All these different studies say one thing one year and the opposite the next . Life is what it is and worrying about the what ifs is pointless . Only 2 certainties in life we are born we die. So everyone just needs to live life to the full as none of us knows how long we have got to live.

As I understand it, Vit D plays a role in calcium absorption.

That is true Monica, but my consultant advised me that there is absolutely no need to take Vitamin D, unless you have a deficiency. That can only be determined by a blood test.
My Vit D levels often don't register on the scale, they are so low.

The specialist I saw asked me if I was taking a vitamin D supplement and was approving when I said I did and told me to continue doing so. She had the result of bloodtests and there was no suggestion that I was consuming too much.

Vitamin D supplementation is frequently advised by medical backed sources and the supplements are readily available in supermarkets and chemists. Anything taken in excess can be dangerous, but those buying OTC vitamin D and staying within the recommended dose will not be in danger. If that was possible vitamin D would only be available on prescription.

Before the hiatus caused by the Covid lockdown, I was booked for a regular dexa scan which was cancelled and, as I was planning to move from the area, the appointment was never re-arranged. I also had infusions of zolendronic acid, as I can't take the alendronic tablets. Now my new GP has arranged for me to have a dexa scan next month. I'm hoping that the osteopenia previously diagnosed has not deteriorated into osteoporosis.

Hysterectomy (with or without removal of ovaries) is known to increase the risk of osteoporosis - lots of scientific evidence.

I have had osteoporosis for more tahn thirty years and have Alendronic Acid infusions, because I cannot tolerate it i tablet form. I also take Adcal.

It is monitored by an endocrinologist. No-one should be self medicating with Vit D, without a clinician's advice. It can be dangerous. It needs a blood test to determine levels, which I have once a year, because my body has difficulty retaining it.

There's no quick fix to flush vitamin D out of your system, but staying hydrated and staying away from more vitamin D and calcium can help lower your levels, symptoms of overdose are confusion, vomiting and dizziness,

Whiff I have been taking a Vitamin D supplement for some years. Better too much calcium and weeing out than too little

I’m due an update dexa scan after a fall 6 weeks ago when I fractured my shoulder. I’d tripped over my Labrador’s lead and face planted on the wooden kitchen floor.
I’ve had RA from mid 20’s and an osteopina diagnosis after dexa scan about 12 years ago. I’ve taken `Adcal since then. I feel my bone density can’t be too bad as I have a fracture, didn’t need surgery and didn’t break anything else despite a crashing fall.
Shunemae, weights a good idea. Keep moving. Do weight baring excercise even if only walking