@Deborah_Hall can you talk more about bone markers.
And once you have the information, are there specific ways you might address things differently other than you would if you simply know you have osteoporosis?
Yes absolutely. One of the four bone marker tests tells you if you are resorbing bone at a higher rate. This often happens as we age but not always. My test showed that I was not resorbing bone at too high a rate, therefore an anti resorptive drug such as any bisphosphenate is absolutely wrong for me. Unfortunately I had taken Fosamax for years before knowing about bone marker tests.
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I just skimmed this thread so perhaps I missed it but why is nobody talking about estrogen for bone health? Estrogen can be started at any age for bone benefits and is helpful in stopping bone loss even at low doses. We have a study on 75+ year old women with frailty who improved BMD by >4% in 9 months. Testosterone is likely additive to that. And, although its benefits are less clear, progesterone is pro-bone as well.
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Great point. My doc started me on hrt in my mid 50’s, pre-menopause, for the sole purpose of building bones and muscle.
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I don’t think anyone talks about estrogen enough on this site, period. 
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Help! I bet my DEXA numbers get the prize for the worst scores on this forum!
Several years ago I was already deep into the red zone with a hip T score of negative 3.7. That was when I was still on estradiol/prometrium. But for the past six years I have been off it as I was diagnosed with a very tiny indolent hormone positive breast cancer in 2020.
Tomorrow I will have a DEXA and tribecular score. I know it will be worse as I have been without the exogenous hormones for six years.
So: what to do?
First I would try to find someone to prescribe estradiol and prometrium. The latest “messaging” is that there are some out there for whom it would be OK, possibly even beneficial in ways besides bone remodeling. There is research that says it’s OK after breast cancer – sometimes --needs to be decided on a case by case basis. Read the Avrum Bluming book, “Estrogen Matters”, and a lot of research and now feel that any potential risks from the hormones (in my case, I emphasize, my specific case) would be far smaller than the risk of hip fracture.
The second thing I would consider would be to take DHEA.
Am already taking D, K2 MK7 and MK4, hardly any calcium, occasionally a bit of strontium citrate. Using a vertical vibration platform and weight training. Taurine but only 1 gm per day. Tried taking more–3 gm – it made me unbearably itchy. (Itchiness ceased when I backed off the dose)
Third: Now, after reviewing the osteoporosis thread: rapamycin and low dose naltrexone. (Beth: where do you get the LDN please?)
I would not take any of the official osteoporosis drugs, for so many reasons. (I did take oral bisphosphenates for many years, which I regret).
It blows my mind that we do not have a good drug for osteoporosis – fractures and associated comorbidities are as great of greater than breast cancer with respect to women’s mortality.
Any other thoughts? Any updates from folks using LDN plus rapa?
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I’ve been getting LDN from AgelessRX.
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LDN can be Rxed by your PCP. I was surprised to find my mainstream medical doctor both knowledgeable and willing. The shift is happening. Try the easy path first.
I take DHEA. And HRT (E2, testosterone, progesterone.) Check with your doctor first.
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Sorry, I’m just seeing this @Deborah_Hall
I also get my regular doc to rx LDN. I get it at a compounding pharmacy for aprox $40 per month.
To save money, some people get high dose from regular pharmacies and then they dilute it themselves.
Did you get your dexa results back? I’m hoping you were pleasantly surprised!!!
I got my DEXA scores. Bad news. One of the hips is now T Score negative 4.0. All areas declined. Per FRAX, the chance of a hip fracture exceeds 50% and of a major osteoporotic fracture exceeds 60% in the next 5 years. Should not have been a surprise as stopped estradiol/prometrium 6 years ago, age 70.
So I am changing my tune. Will start teraparatide. Seeing an endo in a couple of weeks. Until recently the guidance said you can only take for two years as there is a miniscule risk of osteosarcoma. But that is starting to change. Death by fracture way exceeds death by cancer.
Also, will stay on the raloxifene and maybe start a little DHEA.
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This might be of interest.
Does anyone know about Choline Stabilized Orthosilicic Acid as a supplement for osteoporosis ?
A 2024 article:
Orthosilicic acid inhibits human osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption - PMC
And from 2020
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Available in iHerb
Expensive!
Oh Deborah!!!
I know this wasn’t a total surprise, but that doesn’t make it any less stressful. I’m really sorry and am thinking about you.
You are such a smart cookie, so I’m sure you’re already on top of things, but I can’t help myself because I don’t always think of the obvious… so just make sure you have trip-proofed your house.
Also, and this may not even apply to you yet, but I remember a while back there was talk about jumping for bone health, and my PT shared he does not necessarily recommend high impact exercises for those with more advanced osteoporosis. Again, I don’t know if your levels qualify.
I do see him tomorrow, so if you happen to have a question for him, I’m happy to ask on your behalf. Having said that, I doubt anyone is more on top of this topic than you are.
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Yikes. But it’s not all hopeless. The medical landscape is changing fast.
Some signaling of high impact can be generated by vibration platforms (which have been used for osteoporosis) and that can be safer as far as fractures are concerned. But it’s complicated, you have to get the amplitudes and axis right etc. different for each situation.
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As a final summary of what I posted in August 2025 (in the link), I have been consistently doing the following for several months:
- TRT therapy (likely the biggest lever I can use)
- High-intensity impact exercises, including jump squats with heavy heel impact on landing
- Farmer’s carries using kettlebells and dumbbells, carrying as much weight as I can safely handle
- Power Plate vibration training, including standing on one leg at a time for several minutes and sitting upright on the plate with my spine erect, using the 35 Hz high-intensity setting
- Back squats on a stationary V-Squat machine, adjusted to a comfortable height and weight; my current setting is 250 pounds
I perform this routine two or three times per week, along with other exercises on alternating days.
I could provide more detail, but it would probably become tedious. Anyone considering a similar approach should be very, very cautious about how aggressively they train and should ideally consult a doctor before starting this type of program. I have very gradually increased weight and repetition levels in an effort to be cautious, but have still suffered some tendon injuries due to impatience. They’re painful and take months to heal, but fortunately no fractures due to my exercise routine so far.
I also highly recommend as I have done before “The Dr. Doug Show” on YouTube as an excellent source of information. I had to watch many of his videos to develop a comprehensive understanding of his recommendations, and much of it aligned with my own research using ChatGPT.com and Aristotle.Science .
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I stopped taking calcium supplements 25 years ago. The issue of contributing to CHD is not new but is not widely known.
Thanks to all my “unmet friends” here who have provided suggestions and cheered me on. I do have a vertical vibration platform – have been using for about 6 years.
I have been doing everything I can think to do, except perhaps not enough progressive overload with the weights. But working that now.
My genetics highlight my risk for fragile bones. I wonder how much worse it would have been by now if I had not taken the estradiol (and been exercising) all those years.
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I also think a) avoiding falls and b) being able to ‘bounce’ ie fall safely becomes an important prevention strategy. Lots of flexibility exercises and having good muscles on the bones to protect them
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