Celiac Patients Face Higher Risk of Osteoporotic Fractures

I mentioned a problem with stress fractures here the other day.
I received my diagnosis of Celiac disease at age 39 after an active life; sports, construction work and time in the military.
I never imagined I could have had such a health problem, even though there were times as far back as I could remember when there were socially embarrassing situations a half hour after eating and weeks at a time of low energy/ lethargy.
I escaped 'failure to thrive' as a child, growing to 75 inches in height, and was a good enough natural athlete to avoid major injuries. It was at about the ago of 30 that the stress fractures accumulated. Going out for a jog meant that there would often be a soreness around the ankles and feet, I later learned that by feeling the sore area and applying finger tip pressure would locate where a sharp pain was. That would be the exact spot of the stress fracture. 
At diagnosis there was evidence of 'leaky gut' reactions, the over-reaction of the immune system to food particles in the bloodstream, the type of kidney stone most associated with Celiac disease was removed and the endoscopy was not a pretty picture.
I responded by going completely gluten-free, as I didn't stop working that often meant waiting until I got home to eat. A little research showed which foods were the best sources of nutrition, the other day I mentioned that mushrooms were one of the best sources of selenium, and simply substituting baby spinach for iceberg lettuce in a salad adds a lot of calcium.
Happy to say that the stress fractures and lethargy are pretty much in the rear view mirror, though it took some time.
 

17 minutes ago, Big Hank said:

I mentioned a problem with stress fractures here the other day.
I received my diagnosis of Celiac disease at age 39 after an active life; sports, construction work and time in the military.
I never imagined I could have had such a health problem, even though there were times as far back as I could remember when there were socially embarrassing situations a half hour after eating and weeks at a time of low energy/ lethargy.
I escaped 'failure to thrive' as a child, growing to 75 inches in height, and was a good enough natural athlete to avoid major injuries. It was at about the ago of 30 that the stress fractures accumulated. Going out for a jog meant that there would often be a soreness around the ankles and feet, I later learned that by feeling the sore area and applying finger tip pressure would locate where a sharp pain was. That would be the exact spot of the stress fracture. 
At diagnosis there was evidence of 'leaky gut' reactions, the over-reaction of the immune system to food particles in the bloodstream, the type of kidney stone most associated with Celiac disease was removed and the endoscopy was not a pretty picture.
I responded by going completely gluten-free, as I didn't stop working that often meant waiting until I got home to eat. A little research showed which foods were the best sources of nutrition, the other day I mentioned that mushrooms were one of the best sources of selenium, and simply substituting baby spinach for iceberg lettuce in a salad adds a lot of calcium.
Happy to say that the stress fractures and lethargy are pretty much in the rear view mirror, though it took some time.
 

A quick search turns up this list, terms being non-dairy sources of calcium. Greens and fish high on the list.
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I was diagnosed with Celiac almost 16 years ago at the age of 44. 18 months ago I started complaining about constant, sharp back pain. The doctor ordered X-rays and told me I was fine. My pain continued and so did my trips to the doctor. He would not listen to me and had me start physical therapy even though my pain was intense. I finally cried enough that the doctor sent me to a spine specialist and they sent me for an MRI. Come to find out, I had a fracture on my lower spine. No car accident, no falls, no trauma, but somewhere along the line, a fracture. Reading this article, I now feel it had something to do with celiac. 

I’m 45 years old and was diagnosed with celiac at 32. No problems whatsoever with broken bones or any injury for that matter in my entire life. In March I was walking my lazy dog, turned the wrong way and slipped on some gravel. Down I went, and broke my fibula bone in my leg. I was in a cast, knee scooter, leg boot, the works. It’s been 7 months and I still have lingering pain and can’t run. The healing process has been difficult to say the least. Now after reading this article, it makes total sense. PS-I’ve also been taking calcium supplements for over 10 years now on the advice of my doctor. Can’t imagine how bad it would have been without those. 

2008 I broke my shin bone skiing. A few months later I took a fall and broke my arm. I requested to see a bone specialist and at our first meeting, she asked me a lot of questions about my digestive  system: constipation, diaharrea and bloating. She finally said she thought I might have celiac disease. I never heard of it. She sent me for tests and I was off the charts. I had complained about constipation and bloating for years to many doctors to the point that I had thought this was how I had to live. That Bone specialist is my hero. I went right onto a gluten free diet and have been much better ever since.

AW

I am a male diagnosed at 50 by endoscopy. One of the first things my gastroenterologists ordered was a bone density scan, and sure enough it showed I had osteoporosis. Unfortunately, Fosamax and calcium supplements have not made my bone density go up. Not sure if my insurance will cover Prolia injections or if that will work better than Fosamax.

At 50 I found out I have celiac when I went gluten free after reading a book.. then I got tested. Right before I had a bone density scan and  it had shown I have  Osteopenia which shocked me as my bones had always been very strong. It was after this that I had gone gluten free just by chance. The following year I had another bone scan and the doctor said that he had never seen this before- nothing had changed.  When I had to go daily free for other health reasons, I had to figure out how to get my calcium and only recently have I added magnesium.. this is so important.  I try to lift weights and walk too.  

I have broken several bones since being diagnosed with celiac.  My bone density has gotten worse and I also have a parathyroid issue. (Elevated levels). However my blood calcium is normal.  I read a study from a renowned medical journal about eating 4-5 prunes a day helping regain bone.   I’ve been doing that for the past 9 months along with calcium citrate and vitamin D.   Fingers crossed for my next bone density test.  I’m an athletic 62 year old female diagnosed 6 years ago.  

I am 73 and was diagnosed with celiac disease at age 68. I have a long history of osteoporosis , no fractures thank goodness. I took Fosamax for about 10 years with no improvement. After quite a journey with my diet I am now on a carnivore diet and my last dexascan showed my bone density in my spine has improved 10% and stable in my hip! My doctor said it is unheard of at my age. I also take bio identical hormone replacement. I love the carnivore diet, many amazing health benefits and I am a carnivore for life! I suggest you check out meatRx for many inspiring personal stories.

I find this to be very depressing. I was given a dexascan to provide a baseline reading prior to being given meds which could affect my bone density level. Unfortunately, it found osteopenia in my spine. My doctor attributed that to the steroids I had taken for my RA during and after my pregnancies, along with my very petite frame. That premenopausal osteopenia has since progressed to osteoporosis, in spite of taking meds and calcium to increase my bone density. About a year ago, I was diagnosed with celiac disease (after years of taking meds for colitis). It is very frustrating to be doing everything I’m told that I’m supposed to do and still have so many problems. I’m now 58 and have been dealing with medical issues for half my life.

Something that has helped me greatly ( actually a life saver) has been going low oxalate. The spinach and nuts and beans were grabbing my calcium . Too many of my friends are dealing with  horrible stenosis despite eating healthy ( too much spinach and high oxalate foods )  I also make sure to get enough manganese. only need a little but doing low oxalate means I need to get it from pineapple or coconut . And I make sure to get enough K2 thru pasture butter or cheese along with D and calcium.

On 10/28/2020 at 9:01 AM, Guest Earlene X said:

I am 73 and was diagnosed with celiac disease at age 68. I have a long history of osteoporosis , no fractures thank goodness. I took Fosamax for about 10 years with no improvement. After quite a journey with my diet I am now on a carnivore diet and my last dexascan showed my bone density in my spine has improved 10% and stable in my hip! My doctor said it is unheard of at my age. I also take bio identical hormone replacement. I love the carnivore diet, many amazing health benefits and I am a carnivore for life! I suggest you check out meatRx for many inspiring personal stories.

The carnivore diet has changed my life too after years of "eating healthy "! It is the ultimate low oxalate diet ! Calcium can now be put into bones ! So happy for the benefits you see !