Grandsons and Black Bears
Last week we were on vacation near Ely, MN on the edge of Boundary Waters Canoe Area with our 2 year old grandson. His favorite day trip was to the Black Bear Center. RJ and black bears use very different methods to maintain bone health.
Black bears can hibernate for months on end, being very inactive, while losing very little Calcium from their bones. Their kidneys and intestines are adapted to preserving every bit of Calcium. Their bones do not decrease bone mineral density in response to the decreased stress of constant sleeping.
Humans are different. We must remain active, daily applying moderate stress to our bones by walking, mild lifting, etc, in order to keep our bones strong. 2 year old RJ does that very well. He is a perpetual motion machine. His settings are fast, faster, and nap-time.
TANSTAAFL
There Ain’t No Such Thing As A Free Lunch. As true now as when Robert Heinlein shortened it to TANSTAAFL.
Every medication has benefits and risks. Every decision to not take medication has increased risks as well as the avoidance of those risks medications may carry. The trick is to put the benefits and risks into a proper balance based on your individual pre-existing risks.
The NIH definition of Osteoporosis is an Increased Risk of Fracture. Genetics, age, smoking status, steroid medications, low calcium intake, low Vitamin D levels all contribute to Fracture Risk. Some of these are addressed in FRAX. A full bone health evaluation can determine the magnitude of your fracture risk.
Perhaps you can Take Control Naturally with the right amount of Calcium, Vitamin D3, exercise, avoiding smoking, etc. These measures are often sufficient when fracture risk is low. They are necessary in all cases.
The benefit of every osteoporosis medication is to Decrease Fracture Risk when the risk is high. Your risk for each medication is determined by the details of your medical conditions. The FDA warnings cover many risks which are extremely rare, as well as some more common. A full discussion with your doctor or PA or NP will help you determine which risks apply to you.
Every action and inaction carries risks. Take control by getting a full evaluation and full consultation.
Jay Ginther, MD
Finished Forteo – Now What?
Aunt Henrietta finished her 2 years of the Anabolic, Forteo. It worked. Just to prove it, she fell all the way down the stairs and didn’t break anything. What osteoporosis medication should she take next?
The FDA specifically does not allow persons marketing Forteo to recommend any other medication to follow Forteo because no prospective, blinded, randomized trial involving at least hundreds of individuals switching to one specific medication has been done. A separate trial would be needed for each Antiresorptive medication.
Forteo must be followed by an Antiresorptive medication in order to preserve the gains achieved by increased bone matrix formation. Determining the best medication for each individual requires a full osteoporosis evaluation.