Is Medication Necessary for Osteoporosis?

Q: I am a 42-year-old female. I am starting menopause early so my doctor ordered a Dexascan test to measure the thickness of my bones. She said the results of the test showed that my bones were older than my age and she wanted to do a urine test called Osteomark. How does the urine test diagnose osteoporosis?

The doctor recommended that I begin taking medication to stop the loss of bone or estrogen to prevent bone loss. I do not want to start taking medication or estrogen at this point. I am relatively sedentary but very thin. I do not drink milk, I drink alcohol several times a week and I smoke sometimes. Do you think it is possible to make changes in my habits that would stop the bone loss?

A: Let me state that osteoporosis is second to heart disease in the United States so early detection and treatment can not only save a life but insure the quality of life.

The urine test or NTX Osteomark test measures breakdown products of collagen fibrils excreted in the urine. Collagen fibrils are the proteins that make up the bone matrix or build bone. The breakdown products are called n-polypeptides. Elevated n-polypeptides in the urine indicate bone loss or "resorption" which could be caused by osteoporosis.

There are many causes for osteoporosis however the most common causes being absence of estrogen, menopause, sedentary lifestyle, and dietary deficiencies such as calcium, vitamin D, and trace mineral deficiencies. The following is a list of factors influencing osteoporosis:

Gender

• Female
• Peri-menopausal or post-menopausal women
• Fair skinned, slender, small boned females
• Family history of osteoporosis

Lifestyle

• Sedentary
• Alcoholism
• Smoking
• Habitual or chronic dieting or crash diets
• High protein diets
• Excessive sugar intake, soft drinks, salt, and caffeine

Physiologic States

• Postmenopausal deficiencies of estrogen
• Weakened adrenal function
• Increased steroid production
• Hyperthyroidism
• Hyperparathyroidism
• Cushing's Syndrome

Severe Malabsorption

• Insufficient stomach acid
• Lactose Intolerance

Medications

• Steroids
• Anticonvulsants
• Antacids
• Thyroid medicine
• Heparin

Other

• Anorexia nervosa
• Kidney or liver disease
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease

Depending on the rate of bone loss you are currently experiencing should influence your decision to take medication. The decision to use HRT Hormone Replacement Therapy should be carefully considered.  There is controversy on whether to take HRT, how much to take, what kind is beneficial, and for how long to take it.  Usually HRT is taken to relieve the temporary side affects of menopause.   

Another medical opinion is always an option. Your doctor is following the current diagnostic standard of practice for early menopause and osteoporosis detection. If your current condition is not severe perhaps you can make some dietary and lifestyle changes first and retest in 6 months.

Eat more foods rich in calcium such as cheese, and yogurt along with a good calcium (calcium carbonate source) supplement that contains magnesium, and vitamin D. Try to get some "weight bearing" exercise daily such as walking, resistance or weight training, outdoor cycling, yoga, etc. Cut down on the cigarettes, sugar, caffeine, and salt in your diet. Limit the alcohol.

An alternative or natural source of estrogen might also be considered. For more about natural alternatives to hormone replacement therapy, menopause, and osteoporosis visit.

http://www.mercola.com

http://www.yourmenopausetype.com

I hope this helped.  Please contact me for further information or if you have another question!