Q: Having read your book and the description of the medication, I do not want to introduce that into my body. I do have thyroid problems and am on Synthroid. I have begun showing osteoporosis numbers on my bone scan. I am 67 years old. What are my alternatives? I would appreciate any direction that you can suggest.
On page 19 in the list of conditions/habits that effect bone loss, thyroid disorders is listed. And under the title What This Chapter Means to You… Barring endocrine anomalies… consider natural alternatives to current osteoporosis drugs…
Does the diet still play a role? Would calcium supplements with vitamin D work if, for example, you doubled the daily recommended dose?
A: The thyroid condition associated with an increased excretion of calcium and phosphorous, which results in a loss of bone mineral, is the opposite of what you have: hyperthyroidism. It’s a condition where the thyroid gland is too active. You have the opposite, so as long as you have regular check- ups to insure that you’re not taking too large a dose of Synthroid, hypothyroidism should not affect your bone health.
Just follow The Bone Health Action Plan and the recommended supplements, and you’re on the road to excellent bone health.
We value your privacy and will never share your information with anyone.
November 5, 2009
Hi Vivian, I have been taken off Actonel, thankfully, and have multiple fractures in my spine apparently. My doctor had my blood and urine tested for something more sinister, filtration from the bones, but thankfully my blood,kidneys,liver etc are fine. He has given me Strontium Ranelate granules to drink every night. It is £25. a pkt he says, and also he says he has done the research and this one works with the cells to build up new bone. I thought, ok., then I noticed a deadly ingredient….aspartame!! I steer clear of this all the time., and here it is in my new medication! Thoughts on this please?
October 29, 2009
Vivian,
I have had Hypothyroidism for over twenty years. I was on Synthroid up until a year ago when I read that it actually causes osteo-
porosis, so I asked to be put on Armour Thyroid, and did well with it until they quit making it. Now I’ve been taking Levothyroxin for about two months and have been experienc-ing hip, thigh and knee pain; which I never had before. After telling my husband that I can barely climb steps anymore due to pain and stiffness, I heard a lady on TV the next day tell a doctor that she was having the same problem and he said it was due to the Levothy-roxin. I was wondering if L-Tyrosine would be a better choice at this time?
Thanks,
Lorraine
October 30, 2009
LORRAIN
I HAVE the same pains and for twenty years done synthroid, low dose= 50 mic.. i never thought of synthroid giving me this pain–just osteo joints. my dexa was not good of the spine eithr.
l tyrosine is natural aa for thyroid===i will look into that==aND try to get off the synetheitcs which i CANT TOLRATE THE GENEREIC OR armor either onw. you might hAVE SOMETHING IN THE AMINO ACID==NATURAL…THE SEA WEEK==ANYTHING NATURal. boy, THANKS==FOR THE IDEA.
Betr@charter.net
October 30, 2009
lorraine
i did not mean sea week —
i meant sea weed. kelp.
betty
October 31, 2009
Lorraine,
I am on Armour Thyroid medication. They did stop making the 90mg tablet (my dosage)but they are still making 180 mg tablet so the pharmacist cuts it in half for me.
I too was on Synthroid for 25 years (I am now almost 60 yrs old). I suffered from breast tenderness and IBS for years. It wasn’t until I went to a Health & Wellness center that I realized there was a natural Armour thyroid pill. I’ve been on it now for 9 years. The breast tenderness and IBS went away almost immediately. My gyn did my 2008 dexa scan which was frightening with a -3.4 in the lower lumbar and -2.3 in the neck and osteopenia in one hip. I never take drugs because I don’t respond well to them (they always make me sicker) but I have always taken vitamins especially calcium/mag/D since I was 30. But my gyn scared me so bad that I went on the daily injection of Forteo on 10/20/08. By the end of December I asked my MD for blood work because I wasn’t feeling well. Nothing significant showed. By late February I was almost lathargic, extreme fatigue, depression, etc. I asked for blood work again and my thyroid and vit.D levels had dropped. They adjusted the armour to 90mg and I stopped taking my D3 supplement and went on a D3 hormone cream from my compound pharmacy, 10,000 iu twice a day. I stopped the Forteo in early March and felt better within 2 days. I had researched the Forteo drug while I was sick and learned it was a synthetic form of parathyroid hormone. I asked the gyn why I never had a PTH test and they didn’t know what to say. Another test in April showed my PTH was very low and calcium high (10.1). I decided to give my body a few months to mend before doing anything else. Recent blood tests show that my thyroid is still a tad low and the D level finally 30 (was 15). It takes a while for the body to mend after a potent drug! My bone scan just showed that the osteo increased to -3.5 in my back. I am now waiting for results from a 24 hour urine test (calcium levels) and a PTH test (that I requested from MD). I have read on-line about a parathyroid surgeon’s clinic in Florida and I may consider making a visit. His website is full of great information at parathyroid.com.
November 6, 2009
Lorraine,
I learned of another company that makes natural thyroid…RLC makes ‘naturethroid’. My pharmacist is placing an order for me now for the naturethroid to replace the Armour. I found this information online at Dr.Brownstein.com. He wrote the article on his 11/2 blog. He is a highly recommended thyroid doctor located in Michigan and takes the naturethroid himself. I don’t live in Michigan so I joined his free blogs which offer lots of helpful thyroid information.
October 29, 2009
I am 73 yrs old with several ostomy surgeries over the last year. I was referred to an endocrinologist with concern about mild hypercalcemia due to primary hyperparathyroidism and who has indicated that parathyroidectomy be considered. In the past my blood pressure has been of concern but is currently in 120/70 reading. I took Fosamax for approx 4 yrs prior to surgery and am now taking alendronate after stopping it for the yr during the surgeries. I am also taking calcium w/V-D tablets. Would you recommend your plan for someone with my medical history? I prefer to take as few meds as possible.
October 29, 2009
I have been taking a product called Osseoapatite Plus for several years. I take 3 tablets a day and there is 1 mg of Strontium is in each tablet. Do you think that the Strontium could be effecting my dexa scan results?
October 29, 2009
I TOOK OSTEO. PILLS ONCE A WK. FOR 12 YEARS AND I THINK ITS TO LATE FOR ANY THING TO HELP. I HAVE STOPPED THE LAST TWO YEARS BUT HAVE SO MAY FRACTURED RIBS I CANT REMEMBER HOW MANY. WENT THROUGH THE BROKEN WRIST AND A HIP FRACTURE IN 1990. CANT EVEN BE HUGGED TO TIGHT OR IT FRACTURES A RIB. JUST WANTED YOU TO KNOW I AGREE –NO ONE SHOULD BE TAKING THOSE SHOTS OR DRUGS. I AM 77 YEARS OLD
March 5, 2009
Hello Guru, what entice you to post an article. This article was extremely interesting, especially since I was searching for thoughts on this subject last night.
February 7, 2009
Hi! I am 55 and have osteoporosis (Phase 3?) I do not know what this mean. I DO NOT want to take any of the reomended medications due to the info that I just read from your article, Does your book help me to address my problem by doing natural other approach than medication like actonel? Right now I am just taken Caltrate with Vitamin D . Thank You Rosa
November 21, 2008
Linda: only you can make that decision, based on information that’s reliable and accurate. That’s the power of knowledge, especially when it relates to your health.
Best,
Vivian
November 2, 2008
I have been diagnosed with osteopenia, I refused to take the perscribed drug from my doctor, I do take AlgaeCal Calcium and Strontium daily. A friend said that Strontium is not good can you tell me why? Thank You Linda
October 30, 2008
Hi Vivan thankyou for your imformation.Hope yr buiness is okay in the USA with the ression happening.Australia at present seems two be a lot better of than the states.My next bone denisty test is due in December,if the natural remedies i have been using the last 6 months do not increase i probably will be seeking your expert advise. KIND REGARDS STEPHEN P GRIFFIN.
October 31, 2008
I like your positive attitude, Stephen, and wish you great results.
Regards,
Vivian
November 4, 2008
Hi Linda,
I commend you for not taking the meds and that you’re proactive about your bone health…without them. While we do have small amounts of strontium in our body, strontium does not really belong in our bones; calcium does. Additionally, strontium is denser than calcium and gives incorrect BMD results. So much so, that some doctors reduce the bone density results by 20% if their patient takes strontium.
Best,
Vivian
November 5, 2008
So Vivian should I stop taking the strontium, I take three every evening, can they do any harm. Thank you for your reply to my question Linda