It's like you have to be a private detective-about yourself!

I have been taking natural supplements Algae Cal Plus and Strontium Boost since 2020. I have had 2 bone scans in that time and had improvement both times. After the first 9 months I was on it, I went from osteoporosis back to osteopenia. I will not take the meds. Wishing everyone well! 😊

Calcium levels can be tested if you ask for it. As I said in my earlier post, don't wait for your doctor to suggest it, ask your doctor to order it along with B12 and Vitamin D checks whenever you have a annual health check. After the initial three months of taking double the usual dose of VitaminD, my doctor ordered a test of my calcium levels in my blood. It was within normal range and my kidney function level was that of a much younger person apparently. He was very impressed! So getting my calcium naturally through diet seems to be working.

Yes, it is frustrating that we are not made aware of the importance of Vitamin D and Calcium to our health well before menopause. I live in Queensland, Australia where there is plenty of sunshine all year so I assumed I was getting enough Vitamin D naturally. Apparently that isn't always the case as we age. I found out only when my new doctor ordered full blood tests to include Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D levels. He took the time to talk to me about the importance of Vitamin D in relation to the absorption of Calcium in our diets. B12 is another vitamin that is not easily absorbed through the stomach as we age. Thankfully I found out about my B12 deficiency at age 55 so have been getting three monthly B12 injections since then. I will be 70 this year.
What I have learned from all this is that we all have to be proactive about our health. Don't just rely on our doctors to initiate a conversation about our risks of getting osteoporosis. Ask them to include Vitamin D and B12 in your annual blood tests. I ask my doctor for a full annual health check around my birthday each year.

Yea, Peggy! I was so happy to read that you are taking AlgaeCal! I know it is expensive, and it is not covered by insurance, however, my bones have improved on this supplement. Improved! I do not take Biophosonates anymore. I have been on many in the past 15 years and they have caused so much damage to my esophagus. I have acid reflux now and seemingly there is nothing that can be done about that. The damage has been done. No more chemicals.