Bone Density

Deb · Post by **Deb** » Fri May 20, 2011 10:16 am

I signed up for a three year bone density study at Mayo. I had an early (33 years old) hysterectomy 26 years ago. I have already had some scans done and have had some loss. With my initial scan it shows my hip at -2.1 (age adjusted it was -1.7).
I don't have a copy of my previous hip (if I even had it done) so I'm not sure if that's better or worse. My spine reading however, improved from -1.6 to -1.3 (age adjusted -.8). I'm hopeful that is because my body is absorbing nutrients bettter and perhaps a result of my vitamin d levels. I was wondering what others have experienced as they've healed. I am a bit surprised my hip is worse than my spine as I do a fair amount of walking and would have thought there would be more weight-bearing benefit from that. I also heard a doctor speaking the other day on TV who said that most bone loss occurs the first couple of years after menopause and that it may be beneficial (to those with known potential issues) to treat it proactively before menopause starts.

Joefnh · Post by **Joefnh** » Fri May 20, 2011 10:45 am

Deb Thanks for posting this topic. I am dealing with both CC and Crohns and did have several years with very low vitamin D levels as such I am concerned about my bone health. Recently I went into a oral surgeon to have a infection in my jaw looked at at it turned out to be caused by very pourous bone in the quarter of my upper jaw on the right side. I had to have that section of my jaw rebuilt with a bone graft form my hip.

With this discovery I have an appointment with my GI doc in a couple of weeks where we will be setting up a bone scan to take another look at my bone density. For me this was a surprise and really drove home how damaging all of these IBDs can be to our overall health.

Joe

Deb · Post by **Deb** » Fri May 20, 2011 1:13 pm

Joe, I think this study will be interesting. They hope to have 200 people in it. I asked the coordinator if they were looking at vitamin D levels, etc and she said they were. They are doing 2 blood draws during the study. My vitamin D level went from 28 to 56 so I'm feeling better about that. The study is funded by the National Institute of Health.

Post by **tex** » Fri May 20, 2011 2:09 pm

Deb,

Excellent! Good for you.

Tex

Deb · Post by **Deb** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 6:45 pm

I had six month follow-up scans for this study today. Both my spine and femur
readings have slightly improved but the technician said the machine can
vary by that amount. I'm still thinking my nutrient absorptions have improved (as per my fat absorption rates through Enterolab)
and hopefully will continue to show improvement. It's a 3 year study so time will tell.
I am taking Vitamin D but not calcium (I've had digestive problems with that). I do still eat dairy.

sarkin · Post by **sarkin** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 7:25 pm

Deb, that's good news - even with the qualification about the machine variability. I was slightly 'low density' at my first DEXA scan, and normal at the next - but the machine had been recalibrated, so I wasn't supposed to compare the results. I'm awaiting results of my previous scan - haven't made my PCP appointment, partly because I'm thinking it might be our last "date" and I'm not decided, nor sure how I'll decide...

Congratulations - not declining, at our age, is already good news, and so much more so with MC.

Sara

Gloria · Post by **Gloria** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 8:31 pm

I just had my DEXA today and will be getting the results soon. I'm expecting my hip to be the same, but my spine to have deteriorated. I walk up and down stairs in my house (we have a tri-level), which I think helps the hips. It's harder to exercise the shoulder, neck and spinal areas where I have the greatest loss.

My vitamin D level has tested fine both times I've had it tested. I had a blood test on Monday and will be getting those results soon.

I'm a white, small-boned European-descent woman, which puts me in a high-risk category. In addition, taking Entocort and weighing 99 lbs. increase the risk of osteoporosis. I've read that overweight people don't get osteoporosis.

My mother was also small-boned and had osteoporosis. She fell several times when she was in her 70's and 80's, but never broke any bones. I hope that I will avoid breaking bones, too.

Gloria

Post by **tex** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 8:32 pm

Deb,

Do the researchers know that you are gluten-sensitive?

Tex

Deb · Post by **Deb** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 7:12 am

I did tell them and am not sure how much they cared but it was noted as was my Vitamin D intake.
I did tell the tech I wanted a printed copy to compare
because I'm thinking my nutrient absorption has improved, that my hair is coming in darker and that I'm hoping that translates into better absorption for my bones. She asked me to repeat that after seeing my results and seemed interested. I don't know if that got noted or not.

MaggieRedwings · Post by **MaggieRedwings** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 12:29 pm

Have been doing dexa scans every 2 years and to date no bone loss.

Maggie

Gloria · Post by **Gloria** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 10:16 pm

My PCP's office called with my DEXA results today. They are not good.

Here are the categories of severity by the numbers according to WHO:

Normal Bone density - within 1 SD (+1 or −1) of the young adult mean.

Low bone mass Bone density - is between 1 and 2.5 SD below the young adult mean
(−1 to −2.5 SD).

Osteoporosis Bone density - is 2.5 SD or more below the young adult mean
(−2.5 SD or lower).

Severe (established) osteoporosis Bone density - is more than 2.5 SD below the young adult mean, and there have been one or more osteoporotic fractures.

My numbers are:

Lumbar spine: -3.4 This is a 9.6% decrease in bone density since Feb. 2009, when my score was -2.8
Hip: -2.9 This is an 11% decrease since Feb. 2009, when my score was -2.1.

The nurse was clearly concerned about my levels and spent some time going over the treatments I could take. She mentioned Forteo - an injectable pen, Reclast - an IV done once a year, Fosamax, and Boniva - which could be taken every 3 months. I haven't checked, but I believe they are all based on the same principle of preserving old bone and not allowing new bone growth.

I mentioned that I had tried strontium and she said she had never heard of it. I told her it was OTC and therefore the pharmecuticals didn't promote it. I got headaches when I tried it twice before, but I think I need to try it again. Maybe I can take a lower dosage, or perhaps take Tylenol to counteract the headaches. I also need to start mall-walking now that the cold weather has set in.

Gloria