I had a DEXA scan last week and turned out to have a T-score of -3.2, which puts me in the osteoporosis category. This is a complete surprise to me.
Over the last week I’ve been debugging my own pathology with my good friend Dr. Google. I have no other reason I can think of to have it. I’m getting old, but not that old. My hormone levels are normal. My diet isn’t that bad. And I don’t think I have rheumatoid arthritis.
However, I have been taking omeprazole for 6 years. And it does seem that a long-term use will affect your mineral absorption. Not only that, but because I’m using it to treat esophageal strictures, I’m taking twice the normal dose.
And I made this connection when I was searching calcium carbonate supplements and saw a blurb that it won’t work if you have low stomach acid, which is exactly what the omeprazole does. Hrmmm…
I don’t see my doc until next week. I want to evaluate reducing, stopping, or switching to something else.
In the meantime, I’ve joined a gym. Started taking calcium citrate as it does not require acid to absorb. Reducing my salt intake. Quitting coffee, and no alcohol either. I’m hardcore.
