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FRACTURES AND BONE MINERAL TESTING
Fractures and Bone Mineral Testing

A few weeks ago one of our customers called us. At a recent doctor's visit her doctor expressed shocked concern that her Bone Mineral Density (BMD) value was -3.0. This suggested to the doctor that the customer was "suffering" from severe osteoporosis. The doctor immediately wanted to prescribe some drugs to halt or reverse the progression of this "disease."

Before downing dose after dose of a potent drug there are some important things to take into consideration. First, BMD is NOT the only risk factor associated with fractures. There are other factors and some of them are more important than BMP. One study actually suggests that BMD is the least of 6 risk factors.

Also consider the potential side effects of the drugs being prescribed. Here's a list of the published side effects of one prescription osteoporosis drug, Fosamax:

  • allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
  • difficulty or pain when swallowing;
  • chest pain;
  • pain or burning under the ribs or in the back;
  • or new or worsening heartburn.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur;

  • abdominal discomfort;
  • stomach upset,
  • nausea,
  • vomiting,
  • diarrhea, or constipation;
  • headache;
  • muscle, bone, or joint soreness or aches;
  • eye pain; a rash;
  • or an altered sense of taste.

I think it is important to understand the seriousness of hip fractures. In elderly women, approximately 24% do not survive a year and only 15% are able to walk across the room unassisted. A drug might help but I think there are other, less toxic and more useful things to consider. Read more before you have that prescription filled