Welcome to the group. I'm sorry that you are having health problems. I also have thyroid problems. I also have osteoporosis from long term steroid use and early menopause with no hormone replacement. If you look through some of the posts you can see that a number of us are doing supplements to try and improve our bone density. The posts list all the vitamins and supplements. I'm doing this instead of doing the biophosonates. My osteoporosis is in my spine also.

Have you started any thyroid meds yet? If you have any questions about your thyroid treatment feel free to ask me. I was dx 15 years ago. They have a very active thyroid site here if your interested in more support.

Welcome again.

Hi, sunshine, and welcome to this group of nice people. As Lynn and you, I had both osteoporosis and thyroid problems. One of my doctors gave me once-a-month Actonel to use; but the side effects from one dose were horrible and I couldn't take it again. So I asked my current doctor what to do, and she recommended calcium, magnesium, vitamin d3, and vitamin k2 each morning (as they work synergistically), plus strontium citrate each evening. My first dexa scan was in Dec. 2009, when the osteo was discovered. The osteo was especially bad in my spine. My second dexa was this past August (2013), and I had good improvement. In fact my status was upgraded to osteopenia.

My current doctor is a holistic M.D. She was the first doctor who discovered my thyroid problem, and she put me on a natural thyroid prescription (Westhroid/Naturthroid). It helped me a lot. Now she monitors my thyroid, as I do not need the medication daily anymore. Also, she made sure that I was gluten-free. She said that, "Gluten is like a poison to anyone with an autoimmune disease....And gluten likes to attack the thyroid." Lastly, she helped me to get off long-term prednisone, first by switching me to bio-identical hydrocortisone, and then weaning me off completely. All-in-all, I think that getting off prednisone, eating gluten-free, stabilizing my thyroid, and taking the right supplements helped increase my done density. And I'm working on improving my digestion, too. I hope you find what works for you. Best wishes.

Hi sunshine, What a nice name to use. I have osteopenia and
started on thyroid meds about 6 months ago. I am on Amour and have just started feeling better.
I take all the supplements that nanny does and I hope they work as well for
me as they have for her.

Thank you all, I was told to take calcium back when I was first told I had the osteo, but it was taking all the moisture out of me. I do take 2000 units of D3 1200 B12, I didn't know about magnesium or k2.
I don't know yet what the latest Dexa are, I am waiting for an appointment with my doctor he will give me all the results from all the test I have had. I am also going on Tuesday for an ultrasound of my thyroid. I have not started any treatments yet other than the atenolol for my heart problems. I am so glad I found this site, as it is so nice to talk to people who understand.

One doctor (orthopedic surgeon) told me to only take 400-600 mg of calcium per day, along with an equal amount of magnesium (but not magnesium oxide alone). He said that the body can only assimilate that much calcium per day, and that it needs magnesium in order to work correctly. He said too much calcium, especially by itself, can cause problems like kidney stones. This ortho also told me that vitamin d3 was necessary in the mix. My current doctor told me the same thing, but she added vitamin k2 as well.

That would explain it, my doctor had me on 2,000 mg a day. He said I needed the D to help absorb it. It was only after doing a bit of research that I started the D3. On Tuesday I have the ultrasound and I will try to get the results of the dexa as it was done at the same place. I will also try to get my blood work too, but that place is less willing to give the results to anyone other than the doctor who ordered them. I am so eager to get started on the treatment. I think that the bone pain is the hardest part of all this, cause it is always constant.

When my current doctor told me to take strontium citrate each evening, that helped a lot with my bone pain (esp., in my lower back). I don't know if it would help you, but it helped me a lot. BTW, I am on 5,000 mg. of vitamin d3 daily, because I have trouble maintaining a normal level. The calcium and magnesium are only 400-600 mgs. daily, although I sometimes have to take a break from them. Currently I'm only taking the calcium and magnesium every other day, but will increase it when "my body" tells me to do so. I still take the strontium more often.

Thank you nanny1611, I will give it a try and let you know how it goes.

Just my two cents worth: If you are offered the option of Prolia, I don't think you're supposed to take it with dentures.

Thanks bingo9006,
I was offered prolia and refused it, because I already had 40% loss of bone in my jaw. That is why my teeth had to go, the were too loose and I was getting infections from the movement.

Good morning sunshine [couldn't resist.] IMO I think you are wise
not to take the Prolia. Most people on this site seem to do well taking the supplements. It seems to take longer to see results but you are
not poisoning your body.

Best of luck. Dee

Thanks Dee,
The stories I was reading about, with the prolia, were horrific. Women's jaws just falling apart. Since I had already had so much bone loss, I really didn't want things to get worse. I will be going to my doctor next Wednesday to get all the results, I am a bit nervous. It still hasn't sunk in that they finally found something wrong with me.

You are really going through a lot of STUFF. My son in law had to have concrete put in some of the bones in his spine. He lost about
6 inches in height. He had been on dyalisis [?] for kidney failure.
He is better now, my daughter gave him one of her kidneys and it took.

I didn't realize how bad bone loss could be. Just keep trying and read
all you can about it. And ask anything you want to on this site. Even
just venting. We all understand.

My best wished to you. Dee PS I was diagnosed with hypo thyroid about 6 months ago. Still messin' with the dosage.

Thanks Dee,
There is a lot I am going through, but knowing it wasn't all in my head is the most empowering feeling of all. I have a long journey ahead and much to learn. I am so grateful for this site and all the great people here. I have been feeling so much better knowing there are others who understand. I hope your treatment for thyroid works and you can feel better.
Ps I go on Wed. for all my results. I will keep you all posted.
HAPPY ST PADDY"S DAY TO ALL!

Ok, I got the results of my bone scan and my T-score is -3.2, fracture risk is moderately high. I have to take 50,000 UI vitamin D and he wants me to take calcium at 1000 mg. I don't know what level my vitamin D is at but my calcium level is at 2.6 and the margin is 2.12-2.62. Should I really take calcium? I will take the The K2 and magnesium like Nanny1611 recommended. I have to have another scan in 6 months to see if it helps.