Archive for September, 2011

Reader Question

September 29, 2011 @ 6:00 am
posted by Dr. Ginther
A reader writes:  “I am 74 female in general good health.  I have taken Fosamax and it’s generic for 13 years and have -4 in spine and advancing ostopenia in hip. My specialist in osteoporosis is recommending Prolia and doing tests first. I’ve never been off Fosamax and wonder if I start Prolia, should I be off Fosamax for a while?”

This raises lots of issues to discuss in GENERAL terms.

Learning and Teaching

September 28, 2011 @ 6:00 am
posted by Dr. Ginther

I learned many new details about Osteoporosis prevention and treatment last week at the American Society for Bone & Mineral Research annual conference.  I was also one of the teachers.

Osteoclasts Gone Wild Revisited

September 17, 2011 @ 9:00 am
posted by Dr. Ginther

Osteoclasts are the cells that eat away bone.  Osteoclasts are normally kept under control by Estrogen in women and Testosterone in men.  Women lose Estrogen suddenly at Menopause.  Men lose Testosterone gradually over time.

Osteoclasts are much like teenagers. They behave only as long as controls are in place.  Once control is lost, it is “Osteoclasts Gone Wild”.