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Worried about osteopenia? A holiday gift from NPR

If you've heard the term osteopenia, and especially if you happen to be one of the millions who've been "diagnosed" with this "disease", I urge you to listen to or read NPR's noteworthy investigative report about Fosamax from December 21, 2009.

I have noted in a prior post that osteopenia is not a disease, just a condition of relatively low bone mass — yet it was turned into something to be "diagnosed" and "treated" (with drugs, of course). Since bone loss is common during menopause, this transformation was to the detriment of women worldwide. The graph in the story that shows clearly how sales of Fosamax took off after DEXA scanning became more common (something that was strongly supported by the drug company) really tells the full story of what's going on.

For all the intrigue, mystery, and manipulation behind the creation of "osteopenia," tune in for good early winter listening!

Sending each and everyone of you my best wishes for a joyous New Year of health and fulfillment.

– Susan

 

We created the Osteo Blast blog as our forum to express opinions and educate the public about natural means of supporting and improving bone health and overall wellness. As part of this forum, we sometimes discuss medical issues and medications, and their effects on bone health in general. However, we cannot advise readers about specific medical issues in this forum. If you wish to obtain advice from Susan E. Brown, PhD, about your specific bone health and nutritional concerns, please visit our Consultations page. Other specific medical questions should be referred to your healthcare provider.

December 23, 2009 14:08
Drug Therapy | Osteopenia and Osteoporosis  |  Comments (7)

Comments

January 8. 2010 19:24


I look forward to reading more information on the subject of Osteopenia.  My doctor tells me this is now a "condition" that I have and it scares me !!  Can you send me any information you may have as well as excerises that would be helpful.

thank you!!
Jan

Jan

January 18. 2010 20:12

Dear Jan,
Remember that "osteopenia" is not a disease or even a diagnosis, just a relative measure of bone density.  You might look at my article on osteopenia to rest more assured--http://www.betterbones.com/blog/category/Drug-Therapy.aspx?page=3. What is important is that you halt any ongoing bone loss and work to build bone health on all fronts.  Best wishes, Susan Brown

Susan Brown

September 14. 2010 07:08

I was diagnosed with osteopenia and my doctor put me on 1500 miligrams of calcium to be taken in small doses three times a day.  I was told it work better in smaller doses.  I do prefer the natural as opposed to drugs like Fosamax.

Di Jadulal

January 25. 2011 23:58

My doctor prescribed boniva for my osteopenia, which I decided not to take when I read up on it. I have a low acid condition and an absorbtion condition. 15 years ago I underwent ulcer surgery(vagatomy/antrectomy) which to my understanding limits any absorbtion of many vitamins and nutrients. I was taking calcium carbonate under the instruction of a doctor and read that it takes acid to use this type of calcium.My last Dexa scan showed more bone loss. I recently switched to calcium citrate with D3, magnesium, zinc, copper, manganese and boron. I am hoping it will at least help with my bone loss.

Angela

January 26. 2011 00:00

My doctor prescribed boniva for my osteopenia, which I decided not to take when I read up on it. I have a low acid condition and an absorbtion condition. 15 years ago I underwent ulcer surgery(vagatomy/antrectomy) which to my understanding limits any absorbtion of many vitamins and nutrients. I was taking calcium carbonate under the instruction of a doctor and read that it takes acid to use this type of calcium.My last Dexa scan showed more bone loss. I recently switched to calcium citrate with D3, magnesium, zinc, copper, manganese and boron. I am hoping it will at least help with my bone loss.

Angela

March 3. 2011 09:15

When I was "diagnosed" with osteopenia, my Dr told me she wanted me to take Strontium.  I had taken it for abut 4 months.  I was starting to seriously "forget" things - especially the past 2 months - that I had no problem remembering in the past & had written it off to "senior moments" even though I am only 59.  I was researching Strontium on the internet and came across a site that stated one of the side effects of Strontium was memory loss.  That with the info on your site concerning bone loss convinced me to immediately stop the Strontium.  It has been only 2 weeks since stopping and I am hoping the memory problem will begin to subside!

Do you have any info or comments on Strontium?

Diane

March 3. 2011 13:50

Hi Diane,

Dr. Brown is currently working on a blog post about strontium, so stay tuned -- she told me that she hadn't heard of this particular side effect and was interested to hear your experience. In the meantime, we do have a short page on strontium that might satisfy your curiosity: www.betterbones.com/bonenutrition/strontium.aspx.

Be aware that dietary strontium, and the form of strontium used as a bone drug, are two very different things. I'm a little unclear as to which you were on but I'm assuming it was the strontium ranelate (bone drug) form.

Managing Editor

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