Low bone denisty in preteen who drinks lots of milk, etc.

[TravelingChris]

My 12 yo daughter has had a few fractures that were low trauma. Her old pediatrician was concerned enough that he had all kinds of medical tests done including celiac, vit d levels, calcium levels, and thyroid panels. He also sent us to a geneticist. Nothing was found. Both my girls have hyperlaxity. Now the new pediatrician here in VA thought she should have a bone scan and sent us to an orthepedist. She found that the younger had some scoliosis and sent us to have a bone scan. It came back with low bone density. The orthopedist referred us back to the pediatrician to decide whether to start her on calcium supplements, vit D supplements or something else. I have to be on vit d supplements since my vit d levels are low but that is common in arthritis which I have. Any experiences anyone?

[TravelingChris]

Oh I forgot to add she drinks lots of milk, is fairly active (except for when she breaks a bone), and until late December was living in Florida and getting plenty of vit D through her sun exposure.

[Caitilin]

My sister, who is 25, had her bone density tested last year and was told that her bones were those of a 50+ y-o woman. She is active anyway, but she upped her activity levels. Specifically, she has started to run more, and to lift weights. Apparently, exercise which is "load-bearing" is what helps to combat low bone density. I am doubtful that milk will make much difference--my understanding is that the jury is still out on the actual calcium acquisition benefits of drinking milk. My very inexpert advice would be to have her begin running and/or weightlifting, and taking calcium, as well as a good quality multi-vitamin--maybe even a prenatal one, as they have more "oomph" than ordinary ones--and consulting your pedi ASAP. Do you have a family history of osteoporosis? All the best to you and your DD. :hugs:

[dirty ethel rackham]

She could have an absorption problem and may need to supplement calcium (not carbonate, but citrate) plus vit. D and magnesium. Perhaps there are other issues going on that get in the way of absorbing calcium.

 

Has she broken many bones? Do the whites of her eyes have a bluish cast? If so, she may have a mild form of osteogenesis imperfecta.

 

We believe several members of our family have this. (Never diagnosed, but after reading an article that sounded like it was written about us, I looked into it more and determined that we likely do have it.) 5 of the 6 kids in my family had broken at least 3 bones by the time they were 12. By the time my older siblings were in high school, we had 27 fractures in our family - the emergency room staff knew us by name (we stopped counting after that.) We did drink milk and eat cheese like it was going out of style. We were very active, playing outside in any weather plus sports. My mom has osteoporosis - pretty bad - 20+ spinal compression fractures plus a broken pelvis over a year ago. I had a bone density scan last year and found out that, despite adequate calcium in the diet, calcium, vit d and magnesium supplementation and weight bearing exercise (nordic walking and strength training) I have osteopenia (not quite osteoporosis) in my hip and several healed fractures in my spine (but good density, though - go figure.) We did seem to outgrow the bone breaking by adulthood (or maybe we stopped doing things where we would fall down or bump into people:)!)

[LizzyBee]

Are her levels borderline low, or do they fall in the category of osteopenia or osteoporosis? Since she's having fractures, I'd assume she has full-blown osteoporosis.

 

I have osteoporosis, and it's very difficult to find any information or recommendations for pre-menopausal osteoporosis. The doctor who diagnosed me ran a bunch of tests, because in theory pre-menopausal osteoporosis is always secondary to something else, e.g. my niece with Crohn's disease has it. Then she sent me to an endocrinologist at Duke. (Some osteoporis specialists are endocrinologists, and some are rheumatologists.) He ran a couple of additional tests and I had a second bone density test to see if my numbers are getting worse or staying stable. My numbers are stable, so I just take a Calcium/Vit D/magnesium supplement and I have to get a bone density test every 2 years. After menopause, I will have to go on medicine for osteoporosis and probably stay on it for life. There are no meds available that are safe irt childbearing prior to menopause.

 

Regarding exercise, resistance exercises are best for strengthening the bones, but since your dd is already having fractures, you need to have a dr's approval for her exercise regimen. The endocrinologist I saw told me that just walking is fine.

Edited February 10, 2009 by LizzyBee

[Spy Car]

I'm no expert, but from what I understand lack of calcium absorption (and bone loss) is often due to factors other than calcium intake, such as a deficiency of magnesium in the diet.

 

From what I understand, which again is limited, supplementation with calcium (if calcium intake is not the real problem) can just exacerbate the problem. Yet too often doctors take this tact as "standard procedure".

 

If my child had this problem I think I'd seek out a Naturopathic Doctor, a expert Nutritionist, and/or do a little self-education on calcium absorption.

 

Calcium supplements may (or may not) be the answer, but I'd want to look the underlying problem first, especially since there's something about your daughter's case that these (non-medically trained) ears don't think sounds "quite right".

 

Bill

[SonshineLearner]

Hey there, My mom had some serious bone loss. She was about 50 when it started. The Drs had her on some strong meds that had possible horrible side effects. She has found a calcium supplement that has greatly increased her bone density. (verified through bone density tests, before and after with the same tests and same machines so everything is accurate) She receives it through a distributor in TX, Larry@ezorbcalcium.com or call 432.689.7272 . You can google for info about E Z orb, manufactured by Elixir Industry. If you want to talk with my mom, email me and I'll give you her email address.

 

I would have a Naturopathic type Dr look at her, but if I was to give a Calcium supplement, I would give the one I've mentioned. Also, I wouldn't be relying on milk for calcium, as by the time it's safe to drink, it's also a dead product and just more of another drink..not necessarily able to be used by the body. But, Don't worry...my mom's not crazy like me...and she's the one that found this Calcium:-)

Edited February 10, 2009 by NayfiesMama

[LizzyBee]

One way to test calcium absorption is with a 24 hour urine collection, which they then check for calcium. If your dd hasn't had that done, you could request it from her ped.

[Rosie_0801]

I was reading a book called "The China Study" recently and that author was arguing that it is the consumption of animal proteins, including milk, that cause osteoporosis.

 

Rosie

[jacqui in mo]

I just read an article in Health News section of the Reader's Digest that I got today. I immediately thought of your post. A Tufts University researcher and director of Bone Metabolism, Bess Dawson-Hughes says that excessive carbohydrates make our bodies more acidic which leaches calcium from bones. She found that an alkaline supplement lowered the amount of calcium the body excreted. The supplement isn't currently available but she suggested you can get the same benefit by having 2 fruit or veggie servings every meal, and eat no more than 2 daily servings of carbs like bread, cereal & pasta. Foods that are Alkali boosters include potatoes, fruit juice, tofu, wine & raisins.

http://www.medpagetoday.com/PrimaryCare/DietNutrition/12006

HTH Jacqui

[Michelle in AL]

One possibility it may be is renal rickets. With this her calcium levels could be normal. It would show up as low phosphorus. Did they do a phosphorus level? Dh (pediatrician) recommends seeing an endocrinologist or nephrologist.

[VanessaS]

Apparently, exercise which is "load-bearing" is what helps to combat low bone density. I am doubtful that milk will make much difference--my understanding is that the jury is still out on the actual calcium acquisition benefits of drinking milk.

This is true, load-bearing exercise helps best.

I think the state-of-the-art opinion is that drinking milk is neutral, at best. However, cow's milk does have definite health benefits for young children that are hard to substitute with plant extracts. However, as far as I know, the best benefits for older children and adults come from eating a moderate amount of cultured milk (buttermilk, yogurt, cheese, etc.) because it is easier to digest than plain milk.