Vitamin D deficiency - DEXA scan

Genevieve I keep getting this. Have you had other blood tests done. Calcium and parathyroid hormone?
If one of your four little parathyroid glands get over active it pulls calcium from the bones into the blood stream and by various interactions your Vitamin D levels get reduced.

I had one overactive gland removed about 18 mnths ago and I after a follow up blood test this spring I was again found to be Vitamin D "insufficient."

I have been on two months strong vit D and I am due to go back to the GP to find out the result of a further blood test.

I did demand request a Dexa scan when this problem first showed up and it indicated some low level osteoporosis.
Do have a look at stuff about this and make sure you ask the right questions from your GP.

Thanks Nelliemoser. Included in the blood tests was a thyroid test which, presumably, has come back OK. These tests were ordered by a gastroenterologist whom I have just started seeing for a different problem, so I'm very pleased that he picked up my low Vitamin D.

I'm just starting out on the Vitamin D journey, but am already finding the DEXA scan request very frustrating. The GP asked whether a family member had been diagnosed with osteoporosis. Well, no, but when my mother had her wrist fracture it was 1973 and no investigation was made of her bone health. She died two years later. It's entirely possible that she did have osteoporosis, but was never diagnosed.

I'll be seeing my GP again in a couple of weeks, so may well take the opportunity to put my case more forcefully. From what I've read already, the fracture risk assessment tests are to be used as guidance only and the doctor can use his/her own discretion about a DEXA scan.

I hope your own Vitamin D problems are soon sorted.

I had a bone density scan last year. My GP had wanted to get one for me for a couple of years (I have osteo and inflammatory arthritis) but told me it's really difficult for GP's to get them done for their patients. Mine was done because the government provided a sum of money for patients of my age, with inflammatory arthritis to have bone density level identified so future osteo porosis may be avoided. Someone I know who has the same diagnosis as me, asked her GP surgery about this money/opportunity, and was fobbed off. Preventive medicine always seems sensible to me - I'm on Vit D for a year, with the expectation my bone density will improve. Who knows? Good luck to Gen and Nell

I wanted a DEXA scan before agreeing to go take Alendronic Acid which my doctor recommended because I have been on Prednisolone for about 4 years now.

As Alendronic Acid can have severe side effects, I wanted a scan first to see if my bones had thinned.

I asked a couple of times but the answer from my GP was a firm 'no'.

So eventually I paid for one myself. It cost £140 and showed I had osteoporosis.

A year and a half ago, I had a dexa scan done by a pharmaceutical company which was looking for people suitable for a research project on ostoporosis. It showed up osteoporosis in the head of my left femur - the right one had already been replaced. I can't take Alendronic Acid because I already have a reflux problem. I was prescribed Strontium Ranelate but gave up using it when my steroids were reduced to 7mg.

I have a DEXA scan every two years. Don't understand a GP saying it's a problem

Petallus - that's awful. After I'd broken a bone in my foot, and the X-Ray showed some bone thinning, he suggested the AA. I refused and asked for the scan which then showed I didn't need the medication. It just seems really poor care to put people on medication ( with potential side effects) for the rest of their life without being sure they need it. I wonder how much the drugs cost cf the scan costs?

I think I've mentioned on here before I was on alendronic acid for 3 years and strontium ranelate for 2. I was ok at first on both then a year in developed nasty side effects each time.

So I've taken myself off all medication and am trying vitamin K2 (menaquinone 7) plus Vit D and calcium in the winter months. It's been a year and my next DEXA scan is due in another year so I will wait and see what that shows.

I also do exercise to target bones.

A DEXA's scan results are said to be good for at least ten years, fifteen if the bone density is shown as normal. This is because the loss is very slow.

Unless you're on medication which can cause bone loss or thinning, then they seem to check every two years.

I wondered about going for a private scan if I can't get anywhere, so thank you for giving me an idea how much it cost you, petallus. However, it's not good that you were refused a scan when you were being very reasonable, I would have thought. I can't understand your GP refusing you, yet willing to start you on medication.

I got the impression it was the local health authority, not my GP, who would not authorise the DEXA scan.

Aka I am very interested in what you say about AA. I have been taking it for a year or so and think I may be beginning to get symptoms. I took it yesterday morning and today have heartburn and a swollen stomach. I get a bit of that anyway, so it's hard to be sure it's the AA causing it.

I heard you should not be on AA for more than five years anyway.

I might go back to my GP.

I know from the DEXA I have osteoporosis. It's difficult to decide what to do.

I have been on AA for about two years now. I have not been too bad stomach wise.
I am being very careful how I take them,. It has to go on an empty stomach but I take a full mug of warm water before I take the pill and another on right afterwards and another one if I am feeling hungry. I do wait about an hour after the pill before I eat anything. sitting up straight and not bending is vital.
I am worried about whether or not another parathyroid gland might have gone into overdrive though. My blood results were not ideal last time.

The surgeons comment at the time was that unless the offending parathyroid was removed I would be peeing my bones down the toilet.

I also take ADCal to keep my calcium and Vit D up to scratch. I'm hoping to get enough sun this summer to boost the Vit D. I aim to spend about half an hour in the sun before putting on sunscreen. I think that's enough.

Oh, I swallow my pill on an empty stomach because I thought you had to. I'll try drinking water first though I heard somewhere it should not be mineral water (don't ask me why).

I understand that more people are Vitamin D deficient than we realise. The problem is striking a balance between getting enough Vit D from natural sources, mainly the sun, and not getting too much. Children in Australia have been found to have rickets - the sun can be so strong they have never been outside without full sunscreen and hats.

DH and I take tablets in the winter but rely on a certain amount of sun on arms and legs in the summer (when it appears). I have never had a test so have no idea if I am deficient or not. Perhaps everyone over a certain age should have one.

Petallus I was very careful to sit upright for 30+ minutes, to take it in an empty stomach, with water before and after. I only ever had reflux/heartburn when I was taking alendronic acid. It started slowly but then I was having it every day.

Pettalus I was having trouble with them about three months ago which was when I started downing a whole mug of water first. I decided that swallowing something described as acid might be better going into a stomach lined with some liquid first. I hope it helps.

Me too Aka, and I think this subject has been touched on before somewhere. I now have a once every six months injection with no side effects at all. I suspect that it's not offered as the first choice as its quite expensive.

I've taken advice sent to me by Aka about diet which I (mostly) follow but I am terrified of breaking a hip and not emerging from hospital so I've followed the consultant's advice and had the injection. Two broken bones is more than enough for me.

You raise a good point yet one often forgotten MiceElf .. Taking extra care NOT to trip and fall. Being aware of hazards, looking where we put our feet, taking care in steps and stairs, not leaving things out (says she who didn't bothered to rewind the hose pipe and tripped over it earlier ) and so on.

I'm on Adcal, 2 large tabs a day, which are to be chewed, not swallowed. Medication, what a minefield it is. I look back longingly to the days when I didn't take any medication at all