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Low PTH (1) Normal Calcium

In short, I am a 53 year old woman in good health.  I weight lift 5 times a week and have done so for 30 years.  My weight is normal and I eat a vegetarian, mostly vegan diet and have never smoked.  I started menopause in 2009 at the age of 48.

In 2010 I had a bone density test and the result was osteopenia. At the time I thought that couldn't be right, but the doctor said it is "normal" for a woman "my age".  Four years later, just a couple of months ago I had another bone density test.  This time it showed a 15% decrease from the 2010 test and I am .1 away from osteoporosis (-2.4). Saw an Endocrinologist - he ordered a PTH intact without calcium and a few additional tests.  The PTH results was "1" and calcium as 9.5, Vit. D 39.  Spoke to doctor and he said that this is a "normal" result.  My question to him is why are their "ranges" if when someone has a result outside the range it is considered normal?  His recommendation to me is medication to slow the bone loss and to "continue doing what I'm doing" or increase the weight lifting.  Really?  I already weight lift 5 times a week.  And, I take 2000-4000 UI of Vit. D a day.  In April of 2014 my Vit. D was 55, 9 months later it is 39 and that is with the supplement.  I could go on here, but my question is....

Has anyone else had a very low PTH, normal calcium and a poor bone density test and been told this is "normal"?  I'm not looking for a problem here, but I take good care of myself and do all the "right" things.  Plus, I have been extremely thirsty, tired and left leg is swollen...not sure it is related, but wondering...

Thank you.
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1756321 tn?1547095325
I had low PTH and low calcium (hypoparathyroidism) due to magnesium deficiency. Two clinical signs of calcium deficiency (hypocalcemia) is the chvostek sign and trousseau sign. Youtube has demos of both tests.

"In the absence of PTH, bone resorption, phosphaturic effect, renal distal tubular calcium reabsorption, and 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D–mediated dietary calcium absorption cannot occur. Therefore, the consequence of PTH deficiency is hypocalcemia." - Medscape - Hypoparathyroidism.
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649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
I was diagnosed with osetopenia when I was in my mid 50's.  My doctor prescribed 1200 mg calcium/day, along with exercise to help rebuild bone and I did what he told me, but nothing happened.  I, later, learned that you to have, both, vitamin D and magnesium in order to properly absorb calcium. Additionally, vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin, so should be taken with some type of fat in order to be absorbed properly.  It also matters what form of vitamin D you're taking... vitamin D3 is the recommended form.  

For calcium and magnesium, make sure you're taking the citrate forms as they're better absorbed.

I've been able to rebuild lost bone through my regimen of calcium, magnesium, vitamin D and exercise.  

I, personally, would rather take my chances with osteoporosis than with the Bisphosphonates used to treat it.
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649848 tn?1534633700
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