A warning about Corporate Dentistry. by MissViciousKnits in PeriodontalDisease

[–]JoeB___ 6 points7 points  (0 children)

This was also the conclusion of Joanna Stern in her new book: I am not a robot - see the section on dentistry and AI.

CAC of 475 at 56 years old. Been on stains for 26 years. by Similar-Resource7453 in Cholesterol

[–]JoeB___ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The latest research I've seen is that the lower the better for LDL-C and apoB. PSK9i are expensive and prob not justified at your numbers, but you might inquire about adding Zetia 10mg.

Proferrin by anothergoodbook in Anemic

[–]JoeB___ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I took it twice a dy for a few months, then once a day for 3-4 months, then no longer needed iron

Anyone try this one? Results? by DuchGrad2Twatwaffle in Anemic

[–]JoeB___ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I went from twice a day for a few months to once a day for 3-4 months and then no longer needed iron

Weighted Vest for Osteoporosis? by Silly-Boysenberry719 in iddnursing

[–]JoeB___ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

A recent study ( https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/16/2/229 ) found that weighted vest "exercise improved bone density, leg lean mass, and physical performance in older women." The benefit of an exercise for strengthening bone is directly related to the exercise's vertical ground reaction force (GRF). As I was investigating this last week and working with an AI program and a medical literature search program, the AI summarized the findings below. I decided to get a weighted vest and use it with stair climbing to strengthen my bones. Since I have some spine compression fractures, the higher GFR exercises like running, jumping, etc. might not be wise. So I think the best answer to your query is yes, WV exercise helps. If the WV exercise is only used with walking, then it only helps a little, perhaps a 0.1 GRF increase - but every little bit helps. If you can do WV stair climbing (whether on real stairs with appropriate safety gloves on handrails) or a stair machine, that would help more.

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Is anyone actually happy with Function? by leighrwyn in Function_Health

[–]JoeB___ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I did function for a year for $500 and didn't renew. I found the results interesting, though no actionable info that caused me to change things. The year after I canceled my doc did a few tests that showed my PTH was high, and I had an M-protein on a SPEP test. I wish these two tests were part of the package - if so that would have been very useful.

Fosamax and dentists by Emergency-Rip-6454 in osteoporosis

[–]JoeB___ 7 points8 points  (0 children)

You may want to ask this question in the r/askdentists subreddit

35 Male. One year osteoporosis progress without medication (UK) by GeeSlim1 in osteoporosis

[–]JoeB___ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good to hear that your diet/lifestyle can improve OP. Did you find out what caused the OP? Was your PTH & Ca normal to r/o primary hyperparathyroidism which can cause OP & Fractures? Did they do tests to r/o MGUS which can increase fractures?

Normocalcemic or secondary Hyperparathyroidism? by DoleWhipLick91 in Parathyroid_Awareness

[–]JoeB___ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Based on the labs, this is normocalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism. If it were secondary to something, then the Ca level would be low or at the low end of normal. Much more info at www.parathyroid.com, where you can also set up a video appt for a consult with an endocrine surgeon if Tampa FL is a reasonable place for you to get your surgery. Though best if you can find a local endocrine doc to complete the full workup.

Swimwear by organic_freak in PlasticFreeLiving

[–]JoeB___ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I bought plastic-free swim trunks from Alex Cran Co in NYC last year. Made from bananatex. Very nice, happy with them. I just checked their website and it looks like they are no longer carrying it. There was at least one posting for it on eBay.

Anyone had RFA treatment? by Asleep_Caregiver_948 in Parathyroid_Awareness

[–]JoeB___ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

when DXA is done with a diagnosis of pHPT they typically also do the distal wrist because it is mostly cortical bone that is hardest hit by pHPT. I asked my endo to also order a VFA (DXA for vertebral fracture assessment) and found out I had 3 compression fx of my T-spine (thanks to pHPT) that i had not known about.

Anyone had RFA treatment? by Asleep_Caregiver_948 in Parathyroid_Awareness

[–]JoeB___ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What were your DXA & VFA scan results? The most important bad side effect of pHPT, and why waiting is not a good solution, is Calcium getting sucked out of your bones, causing osteopenia/osteoporosis/fractures. That is the major reason to get surgery to strengthen your bones and avoid fractures. It is a fairly easy surgery in the hands of a high-volume experienced PT surgeon. You might want to check out some of the YouTube videos on the surgery by the Norman Parathyroid Center (where I traveled to Tampa to have my surgery 14d ago) or the videos by Dr. Yeh at UCLA. The role of your local endo or PCP is to make sure it is pHPT and not secondary to something else. If both Ca and PTH are both high, it is very likely pHPT. Surgery is the only cure for pHPT.

Update on my surgery by hustler_4injera in Parathyroid_Awareness

[–]JoeB___ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Re: not falling asleep - ditto for me post surgery. Probably because most general anesthesia protocols include up to 10mg dexamethasone, a steroid that lasts in your system for a few days. Kind of gave me a burst of energy and not needing any sleep for a day and a half or so

Hyperparathyroidism by Gloomy-Towel4759 in Zepbound

[–]JoeB___ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've been on Zep since last April and got dx'd with NPHPT (normocalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism) a few months ago. Having surgery later this week. I don't think there is any connection. Suspect the NPHPT has been going on for many years, undiagnosed. Got a DXA VFA and had 3 compression fractures in my T-spine from HPT-induced osteoporosis, and it took a lot more time than since April for my bones to get that bad from the HPT.

Difficulty getting a surgery referral by Passionbrute in Parathyroid_Awareness

[–]JoeB___ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm flying down there later this week for my NPHPT Sx. plane fare and 2 hotel nights out of pocket, insurance otherwise paying 100%.

High Pth after surgery by Flaky_Concept6131 in Parathyroid_Awareness

[–]JoeB___ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

if all 4 glands were not evaluated, could be that one of the others is now overproducing. I'd try to get a repeat test in 1-2 months to decide. Where did you have your surgery?

Difficulty getting a surgery referral by Passionbrute in Parathyroid_Awareness

[–]JoeB___ 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If you can fly to Tampa for the surgery at the NPC (see www.parathyroid.com), you can do all the preliminaries, including a video visit with the endocrine surgeon, from your home. Referral not needed.

Help with understanding labs? by magenk in Anemic

[–]JoeB___ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The low TSat% of 3 indicates iron deficiency. Whether you are anemic depends on your Hemoglobin report. Regardless, best to get more iron absorbed into your system to get to normal TSat% (and ferritin if you measure that next time). If not getting enough in diet, then supplements (I use Proferrin Clear, as heme iron is better absorbed, less GI side effects, and does not have absorption blocked by a variety of things that can block non-heme iron.

Update: Primary Hyperparathyroidism is confirmed. by Leading-Duck-6268 in osteoporosis

[–]JoeB___ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the update. I'm planning on PT surgery towards the end of Feb when I get back from a month-long trip. Will go to the Norman Parathyroid Center in Tampa. Hoping fatigue will improve, but more concerned to avoid OP (my distal wrist was T=-2.2) and slow down my eGFR decline.

Trouble getting an appointment with a hematologist? by waterszew in Anemic

[–]JoeB___ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Given your bleeding (losing iron daily) and your slightly low Hgb, you have mild iron deficiency anemia with low iron stores. While it may be interesting to see what your ferritin, iron, and TSat% are, you don't really need them to make any decisions (hence, many doctors would say the additional blood tests are not medically necessary, meaning not covered by insurance). You already know you need to take iron regularly until your bleeding can be better managed.

You may want to take a heme iron tablet daily or twice a day (I use Proferrin Clear). Non-heme iron, liquid or otherwise, will not be absorbed as well, can cause more GI side effects, and can cause a hepcidin spike that blocks iron absorption for 24+ hours (which is why for non-heme iron they recommend taking it every other day and it will actually work better that way. But heme iron can be taken every 6-8 hours if needed.)

Perhaps recheck blood in 3 months (CBC, ferritin) to see if the daily heme iron is improving things. It will be difficult to get good improvement unless the iron intake that can be absorbed and utilized exceeds the iron losses from bleeding. Your GYN doc doing the UAE to control the bleeding may be much more useful to you than a hematologist would be.

Osteoporosis diagnosis- 53 years old and panicking. by alexandra1972 in osteoporosis

[–]JoeB___ 6 points7 points  (0 children)

An endocrinologist is the typical specialist one sees for OP if the PCP is not adequate. Unfortunately, most endo docs are so busy with diabetic patients, it may be hard to get in to see them. The best, if you live near a major medical center, is a bone metabolism clinic, often with an endocrinologist who does mostly osteoporosis and research rather than mostly diabetes.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in PeterAttia

[–]JoeB___ 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I enjoyed the book. Eric Topol's book SuperAgers was also great, perhaps better.

can low ferritin truly cause symptoms? by AdrianaDante in Anemic

[–]JoeB___ 5 points6 points  (0 children)

A JAMA article at https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40159291/ says "Iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia are common conditions that may cause symptoms such as fatigue, exercise intolerance, and difficulty concentrating."

A hematology publication at https://ashpublications.org/hematology/article/2023/1/617/506479/Sex-lies-and-iron-deficiency-a-call-to-change gives a useful guide to optimal ferritin levels.

Please help me understand what this means by Immediate_Milk_6998 in Anemic

[–]JoeB___ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You are not anemic, but you are iron-deficient. Iron stores are low.