Osteopenia

[VeloVT]

Michelle,

Is my memory correct that you had a post some time ago (6 mos - year ago) about amenorrhea? (It's entirely possible that I' have you mixed up with someone else, so go easy on me if I have!). Do you struggle with eating disorder issues or just have trouble keeping weight on? All of these concerns (irregular periods, very low BMI, bone density issues) can be interrelated, so maybe that's worth exploring with your physician?

There was a special section in the NY TImes a few days ago about health as we age. One of the articles was about healthy bones... it mentioned that bone density is in fact not necessarily the only/best indicator of risk/heath, it's just the easiest one to measure... you might find that article interesting, maybe worth checking out to see if it's on the website?

I worry about bone density too. I have never had eating disorders and my BMI bounces between about 19-21, so I've never been "underweight" either... but I've been on Depo Provera for going on 6 years now, starting when I was 23 (when I should have still been adding bone density). I had a scan done when I was 25 -- the measurement at my hip was like, in the 99th percentile of what I "should" have had, but the spine measurement was borderline osteopenic... Doctors didn't seem to be concerned with this at the time, but I wonder... The medication works really well for me for a variety of reasons, and I don't really see an alternative that is equally appealing (though I did just switch to the new low-dose version), but I sympathise with your concern.

I wish you the best of luck.

[mimitabby]

gee, with all the Vit D you're taking, i'm surprised to hear that you're still getting worse. But it has only been 2 months.

dysmennorhea would certainly be compounding your problems. Jump rope! lift weights! good luck.
I get to go back to the Dr in November for a bone progress report....

[VeloVT]

BTW, I have an acquaintance who had health issues related to vitamin D deficiency from super-vigilant sun-protection -- it definitely happens... it's so hard to know what to do sometimes...

[makbike]

Have you had your thyroid levels checked recently?

[Zen]

The reason you can't find vitamin K in higher doses is probably because of the possibility of vitamin K toxicity

[Crankin]

I have had osteopenia since I had my first scan in my early 40s. I, too, can't really drink milk, my parents never served it, and now it really does bother my stomach. My grandmother died 4 inches shorter than she started and my mom (who died young from another problem) had several fractures in her early sixties, even though she exercised. I did years of pounding aerobics and sporadic weight training before I started cycling. I eat healthy, but not as restricted as you do! I finally had to start taking Evista. Fosomax made me really ill (all of the side effects you hear about on the ad), when I tried it almost ten years ago. I have been taking it for a little over a year and I am due to have another scan in September. I hope something has changed. I take 1200 mg of calcium, with Vitamin D and I would say I get a good amount from the sun, although I wear a lot of sun block. I've been weight training 2 days a week and doing yoga, but I find it hard to fit it all in and do the amount of riding I want to do.
I would be leery of Vitamin K. It's not water soluble and easily builds up to toxic levels.

[KnottedYet]

MicheleM - please get checked for celiac disease. It is a simple antibody blood test. Celiac would explain your high cholesterol, non-responsive osteopenia, dairy intolerance, etc. It is a genetic disease. And your daily wheat/oats/barley/rye cereal is the deadly foursome of celiac.

[michelem]

Thanks so much for all the kind responses. I avoid the sun per dermatologist's orders . . . I've had pre-cancers removed and I've seen how disfiguring skin cancer has been for my poor hubby.

Liza, Yes, that was me, but my period has been regular again for the past nine months or so. I've put on some weight too so that now I am in more of the "normal" range for my height. I don't understand all that went into it as all the testing in the world (including celiac, thyroid, hormone levels, etc.) came back normal, and I don't think my eating or activity level has changed all that much . . . maybe it's just the age thing . . . whatever it is I finally don't have stick arms that I'm afraid to show anymore! I've had low body weight since childhood (always at the low end of the percentile chart) and it's been frustrating at times.

As far as food intake, I have consulted with nutritionists and am told I get plenty of calories. Last time I saw one was last year, but maybe it would be worth another consult.

Thanks for the warning on the vitamin k toxicity. My understanding is that k2 does not build up in the liver like k1 does, but maybe I'm mistaken. I've got another md appt. set for June and hopefully I'll find out more then.

KnottedYet - I was tested for celiac several years ago, but at the time I had been following a self-imposed hiatus from gluten/wheat for a while (trying to see if it might help my eczema -- it didn't). The test came back negative, but do you think that's because I had already been avoiding the offending substances? Do you think I should get tested again? Is it something a person can contract later in life even if they haven't had it before?

Thanks again for all the great responses. I really appreciate your time and attention.