Newly diagnosed with Osteopenia

HI Susan. a week ago you mentioned you had no side effects to Vit D so could it be something else? How long have you been taking them and how much do you take?

Your vitamin D levels should be checked in your blood tests. You may not not be lacking but if you are then the dose is adjusted after each blood test.

Thank you Kathleen, I think it may be something to do with Magnesium levels, I've bought a bone support supplement which also has magnesium and other minerals in a balanced formulation, I got a headache yesterday but not as bad - will see how it goes, I have an appointment with my gp at the end of next week.

Susan

 

Thank you Alison - yesterday I changed from the tablets the gp gave me to a bone support supplement that I ordered online, it has excellent reviews, and I think it offers a more balanced approach - my headache was nothing like as bad last evening so I'm thinking it may be the Magnesium in this new formulation that is helping.

Susan

Hi susan.

magnesium is present in many foods and we should not be deficent if we eat a normal balanced diet. It ensures the parathyroid gland works normally and this is important for bone health. I wonder if your headaches could be migraine. Not sure what age you are but they often start up when our bodies and hormones change. Puberty,  menopause. Remember, a lot of supplements pass on through as our body can only use what it needs. Therefore, too much of anything can be harmful or wasted or stored, but even with storing, our body has its limits. If you take twice the daily calcium allowance for examlpe, your bones wont improve twice as fast and you could develope problems. Talk with your GP and have a blood test. This will show what you are lacking, if anything.

Hi Alison - I've done some online research which shows that almost all the bone supplements also contain Magnesium as one element tends to need another to work in synergy.   I've used Magnesium in the past to help with muscle issues following my total knee replacement . . . I have to say that since taking this new supplement with it's magnesium content I haven't had a headache, so fingers crossed that I've found the solution to my headaches . . . . I'm well into my sixties so I don't think it's hormones - I do however have arthritis in my neck so that may be contributing to muscle tenseness in my neck, thereby contributing to the headaches.  I hope you are doing well?

What I've read is that as long as you are taking calcium and magnesium in balance, as one would in diet and appropriate supplements, then there shouldn't be any problems with magnesuim deficiency.  The problems occur with the calcium supplements which don't include magnesium.  If the balance goes off then the body doesn't absorb magnesium when calcium is taken.  So an additional magnesium supplement would need to be taken at a different time than the calcium supplement.  What you are doing with a balanced supplement sounds like a great idea!

Pleased to hear you have found something that helps susan. My hormones are still causing me problems at almost 63. Hope you had a good result with your knee replacement. I am ok. Moving house so doing far too much lifting, which I know I shouldnt be doing but this should be the last day. Until end of September that is. Moving again.!!!!! If my back survives this, I will be convinced the dexa scan lied. I joke. Treat yourself to a massage of the neck and shoulder area to help relax these tense neck muscles. Best wishes