Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Hi,

Before starting HRT I had to run some tests. One of them was a scan to measure my bone density.

It appears that I have a lower bone density than average. Not at the stage of being diagnosed with osteoporosis but not dense enough to be good. I could not find the English word for "osteopedie" which is this in between stage.

As MtF, living in the Netherlands (no sun) and avoiding cow milk, I am a bit concern as :
Women tend to be more susceptible to get osteoporosis while getting older.
Low level of hormone can make it worse.
Low vitamin D income as well (reducing the assimilation of calcium).

Is there anything I should know ? Any experience to be shared ? I take it all =)

Cheers,
Loes

You can mitigate or reverse the problem by taking vitamin D and adding lower body strength training to your fitness regimen. The best exercises for this are heavy barbell squats and deadlifts.

I have also seen magnesium recommended as a supplement to increase nutrient absorption.

If you want to take it a step further then google improve gut health.  This can also optimize nutrient absorption.


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Quote from: Deborah on June 29, 2017, 06:03:47 AM
You can mitigate or reverse the problem by taking vitamin D and adding lower body strength training to your fitness regimen. The best exercises for this are heavy barbell squats and deadlifts.

I have also seen magnesium recommended as a supplement to increase nutrient absorption.

"fitness regimen" ?  ::) Sure...
I tried these exercises when I was in high school but it made my knees painful for some days every time I attempted. But I will definitely give it another try starting with not-so-heavy barrels first to get use to the movement.

I'll go for vitamin D supplements. Considering where I live, it cannot harm.
Also improving my nutriment absorption seems wise.

Thanks a lot  :-*

Do you know why your bone density is low?

I've seen posts here before where women had osteoporosis, but its because they stopped taking HRT after having SRS.

I've had very low vitamin D before, and it can cause all sorts of strange problems. I was told to take vitamin D3 (not the other one). That didn't work very well and I get an injection every 6 months.

I'm probably more physiologically damaged than most and my bone density is low as are my calcium and magnesium levels. I just take a magnesium and a calcium supplement tablet. They are, at least in Australia, easily available from the local pharmacist. A blood screen every 6 months or so keeps a track of my levels.
In my case the supplements are taken under medical supervision but I have medics poking and prodding me with tremendous regularity :laugh:

I don't know how, I don't know why. ;D
I just received the results from lab and I still have to call my doctor about that.
I am still out of HRT. So medication is not to be blamed.

I'll talk about vitamin, magnesium and calcium supplements with my doctor to see if there is anyway I can improve my numbers. And I'll tweak my nutrition to get more of those things naturally.

Thanks you.

Estrogen slows and stops bone loss, adding micronized progesterone will promote bone growth to counteract the mild bone loss. So in essence, transition is probably the best treatment for it.

Post-menopausal cis-women get osteoporosis because of their falling estrogen levels.  If you start HRT, you will be pubescent (hormonally), so you would be helping your bone density.  Stopping HRT would cause the bone density issue to reappear.

Quote from: loes on June 29, 2017, 06:29:17 AM
"fitness regimen" ?  ::) Sure...
I tried these exercises when I was in high school but it made my knees painful for some days every time I attempted. But I will definitely give it another try starting with not-so-heavy barrels first to get use to the movement.

Yes.  These two movement place extreme stress on the body which is why they work so well in stimulating bone density.  So it's really important to do them with good form to prevent knee or back injury.  I can recommend an excellent book or there are lots of internet resources on how to do these movements right.



Conform and be dull. —James Frank Dobie, The Voice of the Coyote

 ;D Happy to know that HRT will reduce my risk of low bone density more than increasing it.
However I am going to start low dose in order to get use to it and prepare my social transition without having boobs forcing me out before I decide it.
Knowing that E can solve other issue of mine, I will maybe switch to full dose sooner.

Thank a lot for replying.
Cheers,
loes  :-*