Thursday, November 26, 2009 Chris asks

Q: My T-score is -2.1. I am 60 years old. Should I go on medication?

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Answers (2)

11/26/09 7:21pm

Hi Chris, thanks for the question welcome to the board. With a T-score -2.1 you are just into the osteopenia range which starts at -2. With a score like that you could do well to increase the amount of weight bearing and weight training excersices. Eat a diet rich in fruits, veggies, lean protein and calcium from both dairy and non dairy sources. What you decide to do is up to you and your doctor, but if it were me i would skip the meds for now and see what i could do with lifestyle changes. Have you discussed options with your doctor? Do your own research and make a decison that you can live with happily. take care, phyllis

Pam Flores, Health Guide

11/26/09 10:27pm

Hi Chris and Phyllis, Thanks so much Phyllis for answering this question!! You gave excellent advice for options for treatment with a t-score like this, which I totally agree with.

I just need to make a slight correction and that is:

Normal bone: any score above -1.0

Osteopenia: any score between -1.0 and -2.5

Osteoporosis: any score below -2.5 National Osteoporosis Foundation/WHO on t and z scores link. See "Understanding BMD Test results near the end of the page.

Thanks again Phyllis for the great advice, it's greatly appreciated. Don't feel bad I get these numbers messed up all the time!! Thanks for your help... I'm sure others would love to hear your advice as well.

Chris

2/22/10 10:35am

Thanks for your advice Phyllis. I think I need to work out exactly what is classed as weight bearing exercise. I do a lot of swimming, but I don't think that helps. I'll have to check the internet to see what diet I can come up with.

Thanks again

Chris

phyllis

2/22/10 12:15pm

HI Chirs, weight bearing exercises are ones where your foot striked the gorund at each step. Walking, jogging, stair climbing and dancing are a few examples. while swimming is great for your body, it isn't considered weight bearing, neither is bike riding. take care...phyllis

Sue

2/22/10 12:40pm

I agree with your comments concerning swimming. Unfortunately whilst great for muscles it is not weight bearing and will not increase bone density.

Walking, with sporadic jogging steps, using weights within a well structured exercise routine, and even the gym as long as the instructors are osteoporosis friendly.

Please read my other posts as I have found some very useful diet information online.

Sue

9/12/10 12:39pm

If you look up 'FRAX' on the web. You can input your weight etc and it will give you a risk score. It has been set up by NICE.

I am -2.5 and not considered high risk within the limits of NICE National Institute of Clinical Excellence who set all the NHS budgets.

I also receive updates from a osteporosis site that advocates no medication. There are different schools of thought on the biphosphonates.

I know of women who have had bone fractures with better readings than this.

It depends on the brittleness of your bones.

Osteoporosis isn't about brittleness. Some people have dense bones but they are not strong bones.

Bit of a lottery but at the moment. I don't take anything other than high doses of elemental calcium and Vit D on presc from the dr. The elemental part is very important.

Avoid, dairy, meat and try and have soya. Chinese have wonderful diets.

I walk very briskly every other day for 2 miles.

I attend a special london clinic for osteoporosis. See your gp for referral.

Sue

2/22/10 10:20am

Hello

Dairy products are not good for calcium despite years of indoctrination concerning the advantages. If you have to drink use organic.

Find a table of alkaline vs acidic foods and eat them in the right amount for your body.

Don't drink tea, coffee or caffeine drinks. Herbal teas and plenty of water.

Body needs MAGNESIUM TO release calcium so have magnesium tablets. Mangesium loss through menopause. Also albiquinol (abiquinone is alternative) or coenzyme q10 is lost in the body as we get older and this helps if supplemented against loss of calcium.

Weight bearing exercise. Good food

Keep informed on the web.

Chris

2/22/10 10:39am

Thanks Sue

Unfortunately I love my cup of tea, especially first thing in the morning, and I don't like the decaf. Perhaps I'll limit myself to one cup a day. I don't drink coffee though. I'll take your advice re Magnesium.

Sue

2/22/10 12:37pm

Thank you for your message.

The magnesium has different affects on different people. Try a small amount first. As I say it works by assisting calcium absorption into your body. I have a calcium and vit d supplement from my gp.

At worst it can loosen your bowels and maybe cause a little gastrointestinal discomfort.

I personally don't have any trouble with it and I have quite a senstive tum. I take 400 mg a day, but built up to it over a couple of months, therefore, don't start on that dose straight away.

I've read a lot of reports on the biphosphonates and don't want to take something so toxic into my body especially at best it just remineralises the bone and thickens it but doesn't necessarily make it stronger. I think research on the long term affects of these drugs has a far way to go.

I bought a lovely book from the USA that a female MD has written which has facilitated regular newsletters as well. It gives you all the good foods, alkaline and acidic and advice on how to treat yourself well with this condition the natural way.

Good luck

Q: My T-score is -2.1. I am 60 years old. Should I go on medication?

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