Young Male osteoporosis diagnosed today - Osteoporosis Message Board

Tim82 · 05-16-2008, 05:43 PM

Hi

I could use some support- I feel like my whole life is coming to a standstill

I am 26 and have just been diagnosed with osteoporosis. I have mild vitamin d deficiency, but doctors are still otherwise looking for a secondary cause (initial tests due next week)

I am very afraid.

Lumbar spine T score -1.9, hip t-score -2.6. never had a fracture, I go for brisk walk once per week and am overweight.

Will my children be able to hug me?
will i need a walking frame like an old man?
What is the chance of having a normal t score in the future with treatment?

I would appreciate any good recources you can offer

Tim

taape · 05-16-2008, 05:59 PM

Hi,
Sorry to hear that you've been diagnosed with osteoporosis. I was quite shocked when I got diagnosed also but that passes with time. You spine T Score doesn't look that bad, but it's the hip that has it. I hope they find a secondary cause so that can be treated.

I have much worse scores than you and I lead a pretty much normal life with this but I'm always afraid I might get a fracture. I'm twice your age and haven't had a fracture until 2 months ago when I got my foot caught in a pot hole and had an akle fracture. This is a good place for support. I worried that my fracture wouldn't heal but it did.

I wouldn't have your kids jump on your back or tackle you playing football but otherwise just be careful not to fall. It's possible to have a normal T score with treatment. Your young so you found out early and have lots of time for treatment if you want it. What has your doctor suggested so far? Just taking Vit D and calcium?

inson · 05-16-2008, 06:06 PM

Hi there,

If I were you I would check your hormone levels, check if there is no gene link, check your potassium levels, vitamins, calcium, thyroid levels.

sincerely

Inde

starfish81 · 05-16-2008, 07:55 PM

Hi Tim, and welcome to these boards. I'm curious: you're male, 26, overweight, and no history of fractures. What promped your doctor to do the bone density scan that led to this diagnosis?
I'm 51 and have a much worse spinal score than you, and I don't restrict my activities in any way. I just spent the weekend moving (translate: lugging furniture up & down stairs), plus I regularly twist and flex my spine doing private training in Pilates, and I'm a black-diamond downhill skiier. My naturopath and personal trainers know my T-scores and neither sees any reason to restrict anything in terms of movement. If anything, my posture is improved as a result of working out.

Tim82 · 05-16-2008, 09:46 PM

Hi and thankyou for your encouragement!

I was tested for osteoporosis because I have been on rabeprazole for several years, in very high doses. this drug has been found to impair absorbtion of calcium. I also spend a lot of time indoors, and my GP noticed I have low vitamin D, so she suggested a DEXA would be a good idea.

I will see my doctor on monday to discuss the dexa scan, and probably have blood taken at that time to look for secondary causes (hypogonadism, hyperparathyroid) My potassium is normal and i think my calcium is too- although primary hyperparathyroidism seems like a possibility given I have had 5 years of unexplaned abdominal pains, reflux headaches, fatigue and mood disturbance

Do any of you have resources I can read about how to improve my t score, and the likelihood i can get it to be normal in a few years? I have started an over the counter calcium citrate and vitamin d supplement

many thanks again!