Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a condition which causes people to have weak bones and can lead to fractures. The two common places to develop weakness are the hips and spine. It affects over 3 million people in the UK and is mostly diagnosed after a fracture.
Although losing bone is a normal process of aging, it can be prevented. Women rapidly lose bone during the first few years of the menopause as oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone are all vital for bone density. Replacing hormones is a vital part of osteoporosis prevention.
Women with a strong family history of osteoporosis are at higher risk. Other risk factors include smoking, alcohol, inflammatory conditions, malabsorption problems, medications such as steroids and low body mass index.
Current medics use a DEXA scan but these are not the most reliable way to diagnose osteoporosis and must be done over a period of 3-5 years to see change. At LHC we use a blood test called crosslaps to detect whether bone metabolism is occurring.
+ Things you can do at home
- Weight bearing exercise
- Healthy diet
- Good calcium intake
- Stop smoking and limit alcohol intake
- Lower caffeine intake
- Supplementation with Vitamin D and calcium as advised by your doctor
+ The conventional approach
- Lifestyle advice
- Medications such as bisphosphonates which can cause side effects
- Some doctors will prescribe HRT for osteoporosis
+ Our approach at London Hormone Clinic
- Lifestyle advice nutrition, exercise and other lifestyle modifications
- Body identical hormone replacement therapy to rebuild and prevent further bone loss
- Supplementation to optimise vitamin and mineral levels – Assessing other medications which could be contributing