Take Control Naturally – Know Where You Stand

You want to take control of your own bone health destiny to avoid osteoporosis.  You want to do it “naturally” without modern pharmaceuticals.  This is often possible.  But how do you know what you need to do?

Starting with a full bone health evaluation is much better than just guessing.

Vitamin D levels are particularly difficult to guess, even for me.  Have a 25-hydroxy Vitamin D level drawn.

We discussed Calcium and the possibility that you are not absorbing it well enough.  A serum PTH will detect severe malabsorption of calcium.  Your body will maintain serum Calcium level by stealing it from your bones.

Serum TSH is a quick screen for abnormal thyroid function – a common cause of poor bone health.

Serum Alkaline Phosphatase is elevated if bone turnover is high.

An accurate DXA from an ISCD certified reader is important.  The computerized readings often require revision by a qualified human.

Finally, Vertebral Fracture Assessment (VFA) is needed to pick up the 15% of patients with Osteoporosis / High Risk of Fracture, who are missed by DXA alone.  The lateral spine view is very important, especially if you are shrinking or are starting to hunch forward.

To Take Control Naturally you need to Know Where You Stand.

Jay Ginther, MD

July 2011

Categorised in: Bone Health, Evaluation and Screening, Osteoporosis, Take Control Naturally