USAFMOM
08-19-2003, 07:54 PM
I hope this is helpful for any premenopausal women diagnosed with osteopenia, as I am. I went to see the endocrinologist today, referral from the GYN. Now, keeping in mind that my GYN doc wanted to put me on Fosamax. I'm age 41 and premenopausal with T-scores from -1.69 something to -1.89 something. This is the way the endocrin. explained it to me: The DEXA scan, and all treatments are geared for postmenopausal women, not premenopausal. My scores would indicate that a woman in postmenopause may have bone loss, but not necessarily a premenopausal woman. She said that in a healthy premenopausal woman it may simply indicate that your bones never reached maximum average density for a 30 year old, perhaps because of genetics, poor diet, lack of calcium, etc. etc. For me, my body build has a lot to do with it, and my family history--all genetic causes, NOT a process going on in my body to cause actual bone loss. She said if the bone building/shedding process is balanced normally, there is no need for medicine to help balance something that is already balanced and working fine, such as Fosamax, progesterone cream, isofavanoids, etc. etc. In other words, don't try to fix something that isn't broken. She encouraged trying to maintain what I have through diet, calcium, minerals, and lots of exercise. When menopause hits, then that is the time to take more aggressive action to prevent any bone loss from occurring. She, of course, drew lots of blood to test my hormones, thyroid, vitamin D level, etc. etc. just to be certain there is not a process going on that could affect the bone building/shedding process, but she suspected that I was simply a healthy 41-year-old who never reached full bone density before leveling off at age 30. I felt so much better hearing this explanation, and it make a lot of sense to me. Oh, and she did tell me to continue drinking my milk, as it is very helpful in my calcium intake, and she had no reason to believe my body would not absorb this well. Anyway, I hope this helps someone as it did me. P.S.- the bad news is she found a goiter, or a nodule on my thyroid incidentally. What the heck!! Just my luck to go to the doctor feeling healthier than a horse and then find something unsuspecting! :( Any feedback welcome!
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DTemple
09-14-2003, 10:55 AM
It was great to read your posting today, I am 47 and pre-menapausal with T scores much worse than yours. I am in the -2.5 range which really concerned my doctor. I spoke with a leading orthopedic surgeon who confirmed that I should be aggressively treated with bisphosphonates. Then I started reading some books like Food and Our Bones and talked to my Yoga teacher. Because I already have reflux disease, I will probably not be able to tolerate many of these medications. I haven't started them yet. But I will tell you, that my first dexa scan two years ago was better than this one (-1.9) so I am definitely on a downhill slide. I saw an endocrinologist also, all of my tests are normal, so they are calling it a genetic condition. He told me to give up downhill skiing and all contact sports. This is very depressing, not to mention confusing because everyone has such different opinions, you don't know which "expert" to trust and you feel like time is not on your side.
bjg
09-14-2003, 11:58 AM
as i see it..a rose by any other name is still a rose..so whether you have low bone density because you never achieved maximum bone density in the first place or because as you got older you lost bone...you are still a candidate for fractures....i mean when a bone is impacted do you really think it matters why it is not a dense as it should be...i dont think...your readings indicate that you have osteopenia..the only drug that is fda approved for pre menopausal women to the best of my knowledge is actonel.
zzzzlady
09-14-2003, 03:38 PM
USAFMOM, thanks for your positive words of encouragement. In these days and times of getting older and trying to preserve our health, all encouraging words are welcomed. One person commented that it didn't matter how the bone loss came about, but I think it does. If your bone density never reached it's maximum capacity, then (in my opinion), that's a bit different than if your normal bodily processes werent working properly. For now you can be assured that your bone build-up/breakdown is working properly. At least you know with continued health and exercise, you could potentially maintain what you have and it should stabilize. You're wise to find this out early (before menopause) and it is the right step toward protecting and maintaining the bone mass that you do have now. So congrats to you for staying on top of your health situation. Thanks again for the positive encouraging words. WE ALL NEED IT !!!!
USAFMOM
09-15-2003, 10:25 PM
I have thought about this situation also. It is very true that a weak bone is a weak bone, and the consequences are the same despite the cause, however, it was comforting to know that most likely it is incidental and not necessarily an ongoing disease process that needs medical attention right away. But I am keenly aware that my situation could change drastically in the next few years if I'm not careful and keep up on my condition, and certainly, regardless of the cause for the weak bones, I'm at higher risk for developing osteoporosis.
I don't remember if I've updated all you good people, but I called the endocrinologist for my lab results (because my appointment isn't until the end of this month). She said my lab results are all normal, however, my spine x-rays are abnormal, and she would not give the those results but said the doctor would have to go over these with me personally. All she could tell me was that they showed "old changes, nothing new or acute," which, by my experience in the medical field, kind of tells me that old compression fracture(s) are showing. I don't know, I'll find out in two weeks.
Thanks to all for your encouragement and valuable insight. Learning from other people's experiences and wisdom is invaluable. :)
I don't remember if I've updated all you good people, but I called the endocrinologist for my lab results (because my appointment isn't until the end of this month). She said my lab results are all normal, however, my spine x-rays are abnormal, and she would not give the those results but said the doctor would have to go over these with me personally. All she could tell me was that they showed "old changes, nothing new or acute," which, by my experience in the medical field, kind of tells me that old compression fracture(s) are showing. I don't know, I'll find out in two weeks.
Thanks to all for your encouragement and valuable insight. Learning from other people's experiences and wisdom is invaluable. :)