Bone Health - Male Osteoporosis and Running, 29 Years Old

no experience but wondering if you cut out food groups or severely restrict your diet. how long have you been hypothyroid and taking meds?

asking for all of those people who want to avoid this.

I haven't consistently drank milk over the past several years, as it doesn't agree with my stomach. I drank a lot of it as a kid. I do eat other dairy and can't think of anything else that I really limit or restrict. I've been hypothyroid since about age 12 or 13 and taking medication since that time. It runs in my family.

Not a MD, but you should definitely get your doc for your hypothyroidism on the same page as your doc for your osteoporosis. Over treating hypothyroidism can cause osteoporosis. I doubt that you will be banned from running. Lack of exercise can also cause osteoporosis. Hopefully, it will just be a matter getting your meds adjusted and getting treatment for the osteoporosis to get that under control. But this is squarely an issue for the doctors to sort out and not something that some magic diet will make everything right.

Eat more cultured dairy. Eat more green vegetables. And, more healthy fats.

Thanks for your response. Agreed, trying to get in to see my endocrine guy earlier than normal this year to get on the same page. I just called the doctor that the surgeon is trying to refer me to for bone health, and they can't see me until the end of February...great...

I don't necessarily think its super likely the thyroid is being overtreated, although it's certainly still possible. My endocrine doctor tracks it pretty closely and I get it tested fairly regularly. It definitely should get checked again here soon though, I agree with that.

Hey there,

Male, 24 here. Was diagnosed with Osteopenia when I was 20, (possibly) due to some medication for a chronic illness I have. Though it was a cause for concern at the time, the truth is that you don't have data points for your bone health before this scan. Candidly, I've gotten several stress and compact fractures at a higher rate than the average population, that's more likely attributed to a more active and risk seeking lifestyle. Your 'weak' bones might be your healthy baseline, which after several years of calcium and vitamin D supplements with non-significant improvement, is what I'm beginning to suspect is the case for myself. Currently running 90mpw. Eat clean and don't build mileage recklessly; advice I would give to anyone, but perhaps you'll actually do this given your situation. Cheers.

If you don't mind me asking - where were your fractures located, and did you feel they were the result of an increased in running volume/intensity?

Bump

OP, have you ever lifted weights? Increasing muscular force capacity can help increase bone density.

I have, but not since my hip issues (first hip injury was back in October 2017, first hip surgery in March). I have only done PT, biking and a little running between the 2 procedures. I used to do RDL, squat, bench 2 times weekly after running.

Do you live in an area with Fluoridated water?

Hi, yes I do.

bump

Drink kefir

Fluoride is a problem, negative effect on bone health.

See an endocrinologist, asap!

Bumping again, just because it's a somewhat concerning health issue and am hopeful to find others who have gone through this.

OP update - seeing endocrinologist Monday - will provide details if (hopefully) something relevant comes out of that appt.

Stop running, start lifting.

Hey there. I'm sorry to hear about your DXA - those numbers definitely aren't good, but not all hope is lost. I've been in a similar boat.

You can drink all the milk in the world and it's not going to help you (I hate it when people suggest that as a solution). Vitamin D is key, as is Vitamin K2 - calcium is actually pretty overrated.

As for medications, look into Forteo - it's a parathyroid medication. You may not be able to take it because of your pre-existing thyroid issues (though the parathyroid is actually not related to the thyroid, confusingly enough). I was on it for two years and was able to help reverse some of the osteopenia. The big issue is getting it covered by health insurance, especially for a young person. I appealed multiple times and finally got it covered, which was huge.

But it's a good thing that you've been running and haven't had multiple stress fractures - perhaps there's nothing to be *really* worried about. Typically they worry about bone density when you are getting stress fx after stress fx, but that isn't the case.

Also, start lifting substantial weight, if you aren't already. Deadlifts, squats - load up a barbell. One of the best things you can do to foster bone density. Good luck!