Wellness

[FranandZoe]

I was diagnosed with osteopenia years ago (precurser to osteoorosis)  and my dr put me on Calcium and Vitamin D.  Took it for many years - like 20.  About two years ago my kidney dr took me off the Calcium and Vitamin D as my levels are normal and they can cause kidney stones if you take too much needlessly.  Levels are still normal.

My friend was diagnosed with osteopenia about 40 years ago and was told she'd have osteoporosis.  She doesn't.  She's in her 80s.

[Shelbelle]

I will agree here, docs unless trained in Traditional Med and Homeopathic Med know very little about supps and vitamins. I can mention a supp to my doc and she just gives me a blank stare!! check our Dr Andrew Weil, he is trained in both. 

[skatting44]

  Can't believe your Doctor waited till you were 80 yrs old and showing a trend to osteoporosis .

 Women should be  taking calcium & Vit D  early in their adulthood .

 A yearly Wellness checkup  all preventative health care measures should be addressed

[lizzys]

@grandme First I want to say cheers to you for being almost 80 and only having osteopenia. You must be doing something right!

Vitamin D Summer vs Winter dosage - It takes being out in the sun without sunscreen to get natural vitamin D, so if you are not doing that, then the winter dosage might be what you should take year round.  Ideally your doctor should test for your vitamin D in the summer and the winter, but most don't.  I like to keep my vitamin D in the 50-65 range.  The in-range on the blood test starts at 30, but that is too low for bone health.

Calcium - It drives me crazy when doctors say to take 600 mg. of calcium twice a day with your vitamin D. It is very important to take Vitamin K2 MK7 and magnesium with them.  Also, it is good to get a lot of your calcium from your food.  Your body can only metabolize 500-600 mg. of calcium at one time depending on what you are eating. You could be getting too much. I was drinking Fairlfe protein shakes for breakfast and did not realize they had 750 mg. of calcium in them. If I had taken the 600mg. of calcium that morning, it would have been way too much at one time!!!  I buy calcium in 250 mg. That way I can easily make up what I doidn't get in my food and my multi-vitamin. 

Vitamin K2 in the form of MK7 is what helps guide the calcium to the bones instead of calcifying in the heart. Doctors should know by now that this is very important. 

Don't blame yourself for not exercising these last years. You are still doing good and you can add a little weights in starting now. It really doesn't take a lot.  Take it slow and build from there.

Margaret Martin had a great Youtube channel. She shows exercises to help bones and also ways to move carefully so you don't fracture. Her website is full of information too. It is called Melioguide.

My goal is to still be in Osteopenia by the time I am 80. 

Take care @grandme 

[on the bay]

@grandme,

There has been so many helpful discussions about this recently on this forum

I never knew about k2 until I read about it here! It directs the calcium to your bones instead of your blood vessels! 

When I asked my cardiologist about this he said he hadn't heard about it and to ask my endocrinologist about it. When I asked my endocrinologist about it he said he didn't know anything about it! WTH?!

So yes!  Most doctors receive very little if any training about supplements. And they might have no time or interest in keeping up with the latest studies! 

That said, everyone should research what supplemets are ok for them and most all can cause side effects even if unusual. 

Anytime I take something new whether food or medicine or supplement, if something unusual is happening to me, I look up side effects of whatever.

Each individual is so unique and we really have to advocate for ourselves with a little help from our friends!

Also, to me it is alarming that so many doctors prescribe lots of calcium esp to women without knowing about the ill effects it can have on the heart! Another reason to take the k2 which for some however can also cause side effects.

I will say, how much I appreciate and give gold stars to esp for me, women drs who keep up on supplements, vitamins and alternative treatments. These are regular primary care drs who do a great job.

So, no I do not agree with the all too often advice to just ask your dr. Ask a lot! Research a lot! And when you find that dr that listens and is knowledgable about all of these things, that is a keeper!

[cantdrive55]

@nyc1 Agree. Andrew Lessman's formula is excellent for both what is in it, and what is not. I was delighted to find a plant based soy free formulation. 
PS  OP, if it's more convenient for you, it's available on Amazon..

[SilleeMee]

There's a website that I find very helpful. It's all about osteoporosis and bone health including diet and supps. Take a look:

BoneHealthandOsteoporosisFoundation dot org

[Shelbelle]

I take Doctors Best K2 MK-7. it is made from chick peas,. not fermented soy as most are. I take one cap daily 100 mcg

[poregirl]

if your calcium doesnt include K2 MK-7 I wouldnt bother. It's not safe. Calcium can accumulate in the heart and give you heart problems. 

[on the bay]

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@poregirl wrote:

if your calcium doesnt include K2 MK-7 I wouldnt bother. It's not safe. Calcium can acculate in the heart and give you heart problems. 

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@poregirl,

Thank you!

It's been years since there has been news and warnings about this esp for women and all drs should be aware of this by now but they aren't!