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.
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March 4, 2010
I stopped taking osteo drugs and joined your program. Two weeks ago I was hospitalized with atrialfibbrillation and am still arrithmic. I am taking CoQ10, 100mg 2 times/day and it’s been suggested I take L Carnitine 500mg 3 times a day to help revert the fibbrillation. My doctors have adjusted the Coumadin so that the Vit K, K2 and leafy veggies are not affecting my blood so I can continue with building bones. I would really like to deal with both my heart problem and my osteoporosis and need some help. Do you have any advise for me, Vivian?
January 24, 2010
I fell on a wet floor & broke my tib and fib in Oct. 2007. I had a plate and screws installed and was off of my feet for months. After 6 months I was getting around pretty good and was back to teaching flexibility training classes and ballet.
However, last Feb. (2009) I was in 2 auto accidents (not my fault) that caused me injuries of the spine and bursa in my hip. It also moved the hardware in my leg. An ankle specialist wanted to take it out but my Dexa scan showed that I have osteopenia and osteoporosis.
My bone doctor told me to drink 3 glasses of milk a day and take Vitamin D. When I went to my primary care physician and he told me the dangers of drinking cows milk and told me to stop. He put me on Ossopan MD, and 5000IU of Vit. D3 (which, for some reason gave me have diarrhea, and made me feel like I had the flu).
I am vitamin D deficient (15 on a scale of normal being 30-100). So, I am taking the Ossopan MD which has: Calcium 800mg, Magnesium 400mg, Vitamin D 200mg, and MicroCrystaline Hydroxyapatite 2000mg. Because I can’t take the D3 I have also added 800mg of Vitamin D each day (total of 1200mg of D with what is in the Ossopan MD). I take Silica and a Vitamin B-Complex twice a day, too.
I have no idea how my levels are doing as it is so soon into the therapy and have not had another Dexa-Scan as it is too soon for that, too. Ironically, my blood pressure is normal for the first time in 17 years. I was diagnosed with peheochromocyotma as a cause of the hypertension. I cannot take a blood pressure pill due to paroxysmal blood pressure (sometimes too low, sometimes too high).
SO, here is my problem. I feel a whole lot better, especially emotionally, since starting all this jazz but I am gaining weight like crazy (10 pounds in two months). I am doing weight bearing exercises at a gym and also tanning in a bed with UVB light, at the advice of my doctor, to help absorb the Vit. D. I have been told that fat weight more than muscle and at first I thought that was the reason for the weight gain. But I would think that, after a month of weight bearing exercise I would start losing weight. I haven’t been eating more than usual and cannot figure this out.
Also, in the beginning, I felt much better with my injuries and my back and hip do seem better but the leg with the hardware feels like it is wooden sometimes and it hurts when I stand or walk too much.
OH, forgot to mention that my teeth got knocked loose in the first accident and were again popped in the second. They are loose and I am seeing my gums recede now. I understand that this can be from a low Vit. D level, too but think I should be seeing improvement there if this is true and I am not seeing any difference.
NOW, here’s my questions(s):
1. Do you think I am on the right course of treatment, given my injuries and scan and blood work?
2. Do you think the weight gain is from exercise or could something I am supplementing with cause this? Could it have something to do with the thyroid. My levels on the thyroid are normal but my Mom did die from complications of Graves Disease.
3. Does Vit. D help with the receding gum thing? If not, can you recommend anything?
4. Do you think the great drop in blood pressure is related to taking these supplements and from the extra exercise? I am not doing marathon stuff at the gym, just what I need to strengthen the bones.
5. If I am on the right track what would be the normal course to events to look forward to. If I am not then what would you recommend.
Forgot to mention I am now working on a Casein and Gluten free diet.
Thanks for any advice here,
Working Hard But Confused and Getting Discouraged
January 16, 2010
After receiving reclast and fosomax Ideveloped a stomach ulcer thanks to my brilliant new doctor.Ihave been taking synthroid 75 mcg for several years no problem,but now I have to take asiphex also on an empty stomach together with synnthroid.It all started when I was diagnosed with polymayalgia rheumatica, I still have to take 5mg of prednisone.how do these 2 medications taken together bind or not?
January 24, 2010
I wonder if you can link the polymalgia rheumatica to a vaccine. That is a very common trigger, unfortunately.
January 16, 2010
I have read also that Vitamin K is important to prevent osteoporosis. My assumption is that Vitamin K can also help to reverse osteoporosis or at least improve test results. Is this correct?
Vitamin K is listed in my multiple vitamin and also a small amount in this calcium supplement I take. If I take your recommended individual amount of Vitamin K, will that be too much and can Vitamin K be toxic ?
Thank you
Vivian,
L. Abel
January 24, 2010
Think about this: 1 cup of cooked spinach has over 800 mcg of vitamin K…
January 15, 2010
I enjoy reading all the comments.I also try to read as many articles on osteoarthritis as I can,from all sources.Of course,fighting what seems to be a naturally occurring”ailment”since the roar about hormone treatment turned up in the 90′s and which I didn’t need since I sailed through menopause without any symptoms.I did acquiess and was on them some 11yrs. when the row started and took myself off of them.Then the push,and scare tactics of the doctors started if I didn’t take the drugs.Yes,Actonel and Fossamax, four months on each,I had some of the least talked about side effects and quit cold turkey on my own.I have never broken any bones and have less belief in what doctors tell people on many scores.Seeking out all the information one can get,from all sources, is the way to go,in my opinion.I’m 80yrs. old.For the most part,I have followed Vivian’s advice,unknowingly, almost all my life, while fighting “fat” the healthy way.A well ballanced diet is good for everything.
What I don’t understand is why the density of a 30yr.old’s bones,peak densness, is used to compare older people’s bone density.It would be nice to never age,but in no way do people remain at their peak in other areas as we are expected to when it comes to our bones.
January 13, 2010
Dear Vivian,
I also forgot to mention that I have an underactive thyroid.
Thanks again ,Gerri D.
January 13, 2010
Dear Vivian,
I feel wonderful!! I have stopped all medications the Drs.recommended for my supposed severe osteoporosis , I am following the advice in Vivians book ,changed my eating habits to an alkaline diet,and I am taking an intense Tap class along with calcium,Vit D,and Vit k2. I have a spring to my step and lots of energy.I am also 68 years young,and I owe it all to Vivian.
Thank you so much.
Gerri D.
January 24, 2010
Great!
November 21, 2009
I have hyperparathyroidism. I am wondering if your plan would work for someone with this condition since I cannot take extra calcium – or from what I understand about my condition I should not take calcium supliments. Endocrinolgist have been prescribing Actonal which I have never. My sister was on biophosphates and still broke bones.
Please let me know so I can order your material if it would still benefit me.
THank you
January 24, 2010
Two important points, Jan:
1) Calcium intake is overrated.
2) The Save Our Bones Program focuses on retaining calcium.
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?
January 14, 2010
Hi Babs,
Aspartame is terrible, and you know it. Strontium Ranelate has its own list of nasty side effects plus strontium does not belong in bones. And let’s not forget that Strontium is denser than calcium, so DEXA scan results are not accurate.
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.
January 13, 2010
Lorraine,
I recommend you discuss your options with your Endocrinologist.
Regards,
Vivian
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.
January 14, 2010
Elma,
The choice is between:
1) Alendronate, which is a highly corrosive synthetic drug whose active ingredient is also present in industrial chemicals and has a long list of side effects.Typically works best the first few years, and it goes downhill thereafter.
2) The Save Our Bones Program, which gives you a natural and drug-free way to reverse bone loss and feel better than ever.As long as you’re on it, it works.
Your choice?
Vivian
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
January 13, 2010
Rosa,
The Save Our Bones Program is a revolutionary all natural way to increase bone density without ever taking drugs such as Actonel.
Be well,
Vivian
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