I just returned from my gyn and am extremely upset.  i have osteopenia in hip and severe osteoporosis in my spine - dangerous zone i am told   T score of -3/1. Here is what is upsetting.  I go to gym just about Daily. I was on Actonel but stopped 8 months ago as I felt pain in jaw. (really wierd)  Told Dr. I would keep taking calcium and continue gym. She said ok and then my results came back so bad. I am ONLY 56 YRS OLD AND my Dr says I should go on Forteo, the daily injection!!  I am frightened to death of this.  Don't like meds and expecially newer ones but she said even if i continue to exercise it will not improve at this point.  Actonel etc.  will only help to further bone loss but Forteo actually REBUILDS THE BONE!!!  But how do we know long term effects!!  Seems I have no other alternative but to go on since she said I am so bad!!  Any suggestions, thoughts are greatly appreciated!! thanks  sunsetgal

You might consider checking out the roles of vitamins D3 and K2, as well as other nutrients, in bone health.  Calcium does not work alone and needs these other nutrients to get into the bone, or we run the risk of calcium deposits elsewhere.

http://www.vitamindcouncil.org

http://vitamink2.org

http://womentowomen.com/

All of these drugs have side effects in the long run.  We should probably avoid them if we can.

i WOULD LOVE to avoid taking these injections but i don't think i have a choice!! my T score is so poor that i need to rebuild bone because in my 50's i hope to have another 30 yrs left to live!!   Wish there were other alternatives. vits probably won't do it at this point since i've been on calcium and also vit D and nothing worked.  sunsetgal

My first question is what calcium have you been on?...if carbonate, oyster shell or bone meal...worthless!!

You need acid in your stomach to absorb the calcium so if you are on antacids, no absorption. Don't take more than 600 mg at one time; Ca absorption is best in the evening when the para-thyroid is more active. It increases gastrointestinal calcium absorption by activating Vitamin D and promotes calcium uptake by the kidneys.

Tthe two best-absorbed Calcium's are Calcium Citrate and Microcrystallline Hydroxyapatite Concentrate (MCHC). MCHC is a complete bone food; it contains proteins (to produce collagen - the mesh that the calcium/minerals attaches it to form the bone) and other ingredients that comprise the organic portion of the bone, as well as calcium and other minerals.

Your Ca intake needs to be balanced w/ Mg in a 2 to 1 ratio. You should also be on a multi-vitamin/ mineral because things like some of the B vitamins such as folic & B6 and the minerals esp. zinc, MN are important.

You should be on at least 1000-2000 IU's of Vitamin D.

Also you need to know is how to read the label of calcium supplements; most labels will list:

Calcium Citrate(1 tablet)......................250 mg

But what you want to see listed is the Elemental Calcium; that is how much calcium you are getting; the rest of it is the citrate part of compound.

Calcium (Elemental)...........................100mg.

Here's a book I recommend you take a look at: Click here: The Whole-Food Guide to Strong Bones - A Holistic Approach by Annemarie Colbin, Ph.D.

Good luck!

Edited by: DrVittoriaRepetto on Nov 6, 2009 1:40:50 PM

Dr. Vittoria Repetto
www.drvittoriarepetto.com

i have been on calcium citrate or caltrate or oscal.  all are 5 or 600 with D.  i also take D.  i eat yogurt everyday, i eat cheese, drink skim milk etc.. AND go to the gym and dance all the time!!!  That is why I am upset.  If these natural ways to prevent it are not working what is going on?? I did get my blood work back and the calcium level was normal!! the para-thyroid is normal.  however the 24 hr urine test they do to test if your body is retaining the calcium is way too high. i see a regular physician on Monday and hopefully my other blood work will be back and he will tell me my kidneys are functioning normal.  Therefore if that happens where do i stand?  still with no answers?  i wonder if my botox injections for my neurological condition can cause the loss or the klonopin i am on?? don't think so.  i do know dystonia (which i have) does not help my bones. I still feel lost and alone.  I haven't met a woman yet my age on daily injections for their bones???   thanks for any advise.  sunsetgal

Caltrate and OsCal are both Ca Carbonate....TOTALLY WORTHLESS  and unabsorbable....why...because Ca carbonate is an antacid....you need stomach acid in order to absorb Ca...therefore if you are not absorbing it, you are not getting any into your bones.

IT"S NOT WHAT YOU TAKE BUT WHAT YOU ABSORB!!!

And of course your 24 hr urine test was high..., you are 'pissing it" out because you are not absorbing it into your bones.

The blood test for Ca has nothing to do w/ osteoporosis but rather to test for bone diseases which would raise the Ca levels in your blood. Please read: http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/conditions/osteoporosis-2.html

You have not been taking any Mg...again the ratio of Ca to Mg is 2:1.

Did you read my advice above...it seems like you did not read it. Please read it carefully. You have the answers above.

it takes more than dairy to get Calcium, in fact some people have trouble absorbing Ca from dairy. Foods like almonds, hazelnuts, seaweed, black beans, chickpeas, pinto beans, kale, mustard greens and swiss chards have high amounts of absorbable Calcium.

 AGAIN: please  read Click here: The Whole-Food Guide to Strong Bones - A Holistic Approach by Annemarie Colbin, Ph.D.

Click here: Clonazepam: MedlinePlus Drug Information or Klonopin is mainly used as an anti-seizure drugs and these drugs prevent the intake of folic acid.....a B vitamin needed for your bones as I discussed in my previous reply.

Dr. Vittoria Repetto
www.drvittoriarepetto.com

Is Calcium Carbonate unabsorbable in dogs as well?  Very interesting as this is the form I've been using.  I'll have to switch to Citrate.

Chris,

 I would presume that dogs and humans (both mammals) need stomach acid to aborb calcium.

Dr. Vittoria Repetto
www.drvittoriarepetto.com