That makes sense. I can tolerate the viactive Caramel chews. They are the only ones I can tolerate.
1 Like
For me, calcium supplements can bind to oxylates to form kidney stones. I had to have surgery to remove my kidney stone, and I’m determined to keep stones at bay. I stopped calcium supplements and have been very careful with oxylate consumption … I have had no stones forming for two years, so I am going to add back a low dose calcium supplement.
3 Likes
I don’t have any resistance to taking supplements but the daily suggested is 1200 mg calcium and taking double of that (which my endocrinologist suggested) is controversial especially if I have heart disease that runs in the family.
2 Likes
That’s great that your bone density improved after taking the supplements. I hope mine does as well. I don’t think that calcium supplements can build bone though? I’m unclear on that. I know for sure I wasn’t getting enough calcium really for my whole life so I’m sure (especially after all of these blood and urine tests) that my osteoporosis is likely due to low calcium intake and menopause. I’m not panicking at all. I see this as a long term project that I’d try to manage without drugs for as long as I can.
My dad had kidney stones. Another reason I don’t want to take too much calcium. I do not want those! Doc says I’m in no danger at this point since the calcium in my urine was so low.
Got my last blood test result today. C-telopeptide is at 394 which is in range for post-menopause. “Normal” range is from 150-1000. This is a bone reabsorption marker. Increased bone reabsorption means the body is breaking down bone tissue faster than it is building it. I know this is really getting into the weeds. Lol. Anyone have this test and/or any comments on this test?
@homerdog we call that test the CTX test. The other common test is the P1NP which measures bone growth, and is used with certain meds. I have had the CTX at least 5 times. It went from 325 to 140-160 on various meds, meaning my bone turnover is very suppressed. It is very individual.
One thing to note: I have been keeping a chart of my bone density scans (DEXA’s) since 2006. The values jump around so I look for trends. Even on the same machine, there can be differences in technician’s skills and differences in positioning and “area of interest” etc. Also any change needs to be 6% or more to be statistically significant.
So although I was always tempted to think things had gotten better with a better score, I have learned to wait to see a pattern rather than go by any individual result. I had a 20% gain on Tymlos in my spine but was still a bit skeptical That took me from severe osteoporosis to borderline over 18 months. Low dose Reclast for one year took me further, to osteopenia, in my next scan so that was a pattern in results I could trust.
I also asked the technician to do the same “area of interest” because the previous one differed from the one before in the specific area it scanned. I don’t want results that are “too good to believe.”
1 Like
Thanks. Yes, as I looked through all of my results, I started to get the feeling that the doc did them to get baseline values so that, if and when I start any meds, she can see the changes. CTX in the 300s doesn’t seem that bad for someone post-menopausal especially since the normal range would be up to 1000 but I can see how a doc would want to get that score and then see if it changes with meds.
The thing is, it should be common practice to get a baseline and to monitor if the patient does take meds. Often doctors do not monitor through these tests, but they should. That’s how the doctor can determine whether the medication is accomplishing what it’s supposed to accomplish. There are different meds and they do different things, so making sure that the one you’re prescribed is the right one for you is important.
4 Likes
For those with cancer on aromatase inhibitors, this may be helpful information: Aromatase Inhibitors and Bone Loss. Breast Cancer & Bone Health.
1 Like
Margaret Martin is excellent. I have her exercise book and her website is fantastic.
I suffered many fractures due to cancer treatment with aromatase inhibitors. My doctor would not give me Reclast due to my afib, and did not want to do Prolia. Tymlos brought my spinal bone density back to better than before cancer and now, ironically, my doctor is prescribing Reclast, but at the lowest effective dose. I wish I had been able to take it during cancer treatment, but then again, Tymlos is more effective because I didn’t do Reclast. This stuff gets complicated. The article is great- thanks @kelsmom.
3 Likes
Chiming in to say I also get a lot out of Margaret Martin’s content! Her exercise videos are really informative. And I love her calm, peaceful voice/demeanor!
2 Likes