hypo and osteopenia

[24...@my-deja.com]

I had a free bone heel scan done a few weeks ago, part of
my company's 'health fair'. I'm forty, and figured it was a
good time for a baseline, to look back at in future years.
I expected excellent results, since, after all, until I
went hypo I always exercised a lot, my average intake of
calcium and vitamin D have always been well over minimum
limits, I've been on the pill forever, which gives me extra
estrogen, I'm certainly not even a little menopausal yet,
and I've never restricted my calories very much - basically,
the only strikes against me are being female and of mostly
European extraction. I haven't been taking thyroid hormone
long enough for that to be a problem for my bones, even if
it could cause problems without sending one noticeably hyper
first, which I very much doubt.

Surprise, my bone density was on the low side for my age.
My reading was 0.512 gm/cm2, or a minus 0.6 T-score, where
the woman operating the machine said that normal was anything
above a T-score of zero. Apparently I'm not yet down in the
osteopenia range, but given that I expected GOOD results,
this was quite a shock!

Does anyone think that this was probably caused by my being
hypo, since my main hypo symptoms were those of having too
much cortisol - anxiety, insomnia, etc.? I felt exactly as
though I was taking prednisone; we all know that taking
prednisone causes osteoporosis in many people. My cortisol
level was only a bit over the maximum normal (20 at 4 pm,
when normal for the lab was 5 to 15), but I was certainly
symptomatic. With thyroid hormone supplementation, all those
symptoms are gone. I am sure my cortisol levels are normal
again, just based on how I feel. Is it at all likely that
keeping my hypo under control will allow my bones to get
back to where they should be, given all my other bone-friendly
factors?

I worry that doctors might take low bone density as a reason
to give less than optimal thyroid supplementation, even though
I think that the problem was caused by low thyroid levels.

Paula
24...@my-deja.com

Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.

[Jeanne & Pete McKenna]

I, too will be interested in replies to this thread. I've been surgically
menopausal since 1989 and been on estrogen since then. My bone density
scans show osteopenia. I am now advised by my doc to take Miacalcin nasal
spray.......and this time he told me in his "stern" voice. Other blood work
results showed loss of calcium. I am half Norwegian, my father immigrated
from there. I also have very tiny bone structure.
Jeanne
<24...@my-deja.com> wrote in message news:8vgsu4$sm6$1...@nnrp1.deja.com...

[mt...@umich.edu]

It makes sense to me that if you have other symptoms of too much
cortisol that might be the culprit here also, at least in conjunction
with those genetic factors we can't change. I have been having
dexascans every year because I do have osteopenia. How accurate are
the new heel scans? It is probably very good that you found this out
now, so that your doctors can't blame the bone loss on your thyroid
supplementations. If they are reasonable at all, they will see the bone
loss preceded the hormones.
I keep meaning to comment on your eye/exercise connection. I have found
that getting up in the morning and at least taking a walk seems to get
the circulation going and therefore decreases the swelling that worsens
overnight even though I sleep with my head elevated. I am impressed
that your doctor suggested that exercise was important, so many doctors
just look at the organ you see them about (to the ophthy you are a giant
eyeball!) and I have had to search for ones that see me as a whole
person.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Mag

In article <8vgsu4$sm6$1...@nnrp1.deja.com>,

[Neumann]

I don't think a bone heel scan is all that accurate. Did you go for a
real DEXA scan?
My endo says the studies on thyroid supplementation and osteoporosis are
inconclusive, although apparently being naturally hyperthyroid is
associated with osteo.
Was the exercise you've been doing all your life weightbearing? I don't
think bicycling helps, for example. But strength training would help.
To be honest, I don't think the doctors know why any one individual
loses bone density.

Marjorie

24...@my-deja.com wrote:

> I had a free bone heel scan done a few weeks ago, . . .

>
> Surprise, my bone density was on the low side for my age.

> My reading was 0.512 gm/cm2, or a minus 0.6 T-score, where . . .

[Fred E. Nakaguma]

Hi Paula,

I am a 59 year old male who has been diagnosed as hypothyroid in 1978. I
was diagnosed last summer as osteopenic. I didn't just have a bone scan in
my ankle but underwent the full blown scan under x-ray machines.

Another person responding to your thread stated; "I don't think a bone heel
scan is all that accurate. Did you go for a real DEXA scan?" I've had both
and the bone heal scan was accurate for me.

I never expected it. I always drank a lot of milk and ate a good balanced
diet with added vitamins and minerals. I also was a long distance runner
who ran 10+ miles per day and participated in marathons. I had to quit
running in 1994 because of osteoarthritis in my right ankle. The running
actually tapered off since about 1991 when the arthritis pain started. I
also quit drinking milk because milk is not supposed to be good when you
have arthritis. By 1995 I was walking with a cane and in the summer of
1998, I had an ankle fusion. I no longer use a cane, but cannot run at
all. I have little exercise today.

The same individual also stated, "My endo says the studies on thyroid

supplementation and osteoporosis are inconclusive, although apparently

being naturally hyperthyroid is associated with osteo." When I went for
the DEXA scan, the first question I was asked was, "Are you hypothyroid?"
They must strongly suspect it, and yet the doctors still deny the
relatioship? The x-ray technician told me thet many of the persons who
have low bone densities are hypothyroid.

My doctor controlled my hypothyroid by monitoring my TSH. I've been
reading a lot of controversy lately about this. There are those who believe
that you could still be deficient in T3 even though your TSH is normal.
There are also those who believe that a low TE will lead to osteoperosis. I
also went through a period of 3-4 months last year when I was issued the
wrong medication, synthroid instead of cytomel and became extermely
hypothyroid.

I am drinking a lot of calcium fortified orange juice as recommended by my
doctor. I have reduced the calcium supplements because they make me very
gassy.

In article <8vgsu4$sm6$1...@nnrp1.deja.com>, 24...@my-deja.com wrote:

>I had a free bone heel scan done a few weeks ago, part of
>my company's 'health fair'. I'm forty, and figured it was a
>good time for a baseline, to look back at in future years.
>I expected excellent results, since, after all, until I
>went hypo I always exercised a lot, my average intake of
>calcium and vitamin D have always been well over minimum
>limits, I've been on the pill forever, which gives me extra
>estrogen, I'm certainly not even a little menopausal yet,
>and I've never restricted my calories very much - basically,
>the only strikes against me are being female and of mostly
>European extraction. I haven't been taking thyroid hormone
>long enough for that to be a problem for my bones, even if
>it could cause problems without sending one noticeably hyper
>first, which I very much doubt.
>

>Surprise, my bone density was on the low side for my age.
>My reading was 0.512 gm/cm2, or a minus 0.6 T-score, where

>the woman operating the machine said that normal was anything
>above a T-score of zero. Apparently I'm not yet down in the
>osteopenia range, but given that I expected GOOD results,
>this was quite a shock!
>
>Does anyone think that this was probably caused by my being
>hypo, since my main hypo symptoms were those of having too
>much cortisol - anxiety, insomnia, etc.? I felt exactly as
>though I was taking prednisone; we all know that taking
>prednisone causes osteoporosis in many people. My cortisol
>level was only a bit over the maximum normal (20 at 4 pm,
>when normal for the lab was 5 to 15), but I was certainly
>symptomatic. With thyroid hormone supplementation, all those
>symptoms are gone. I am sure my cortisol levels are normal
>again, just based on how I feel. Is it at all likely that
>keeping my hypo under control will allow my bones to get
>back to where they should be, given all my other bone-friendly
>factors?
>

>I worry that doctors might take low bone density as a reason
>to give less than optimal thyroid supplementation, even though
>I think that the problem was caused by low thyroid levels.
>
>Paula
>24...@my-deja.com
>
>
>Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
>Before you buy.

--
Fred E. Nakaguma
Aiea, Hawaii