Osteoporosis
Aspen Diabetes & Endocrine Clinic’s Osteoporosis
Management Programme
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Treatment & Management
Managing osteoporosis involves a combination of lifestyle changes, preventive measures, and medications tailored to individual needs. Here are key strategies:
- Weight-Bearing Exercises: Engage in activities such as walking, jogging, and resistance training to maintain bone density and strength.
- Calcium and Vitamin D Intake: Ensure adequate intake through diet or supplements. For those under 50, 1,000-1,200 mg of calcium and 400-800 IU of vitamin D daily is recommended. For those over 50, 800-1,000 IU of vitamin D daily is ideal.
- Healthy Lifestyle Choices: Avoid smoking and limit alcohol consumption to protect bone health.
- Medications: Depending on individual risk profiles, medications such as bisphosphonates, hormone replacement therapy, or newer treatments may be recommended.
Understanding Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a condition characterised by weakened bones that become fragile and more prone to fractures. It occurs when the body loses too much bone, makes too little bone, or both, often due to factors like aging, hormonal changes, or deficiencies in calcium and vitamin D.
Risk Factors for Osteoporosis
Unchangeable Risk Factors:
- Older age
- Female gender
- Menopause
- Family history of osteoporosis
- Low body weight (small and thin physique)
- Certain ethnicities have a higher risk of osteoporosis (e.g., Caucasian or Asian ethnicity)
- Certain diseases may weaken bones and increase the risk of osteoporosis and fractures. Examples include rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, malabsorption, chronic kidney disease and many others.
Changeable Risk Factors:
- Low calcium diet
- Inadequate sun exposure leading to vitamin D deficiency
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Cigarette smoking
- Excessive alcohol consumption of more than 2 units of alcohol per day
- Significant weight loss
- Certain medications, in particular, long-term use of steroids, also elevate the risk of developing osteoporosis.
Hormones and Bone Health
Maintaining hormonal balance is vital for bone health. Hormones play a crucial role in regulating bone density and strength:
High doses of thyroid hormone, often used in treating thyroid cancer or hypothyroidism, can negatively impact bone density.
In women, estrogen helps protect bones. During menopause, estrogen levels drop significantly, accelerating bone loss and increasing the risk of osteoporosis.
In men, testosterone supports bone density. As men age, testosterone levels decline, leading to gradual bone loss.
Certain tumours lead to excess cortisol production and Cushing’s syndrome, which accelerates bone loss.
Long-term use of steroids can negatively impact bone health.
Disorders that lower sex hormone production can lead to significant bone loss and an increased risk of osteoporosis.
Conditions such as an overactive thyroid gland and hyperprolactinemia (excess prolactin production by the pituitary gland) can also lead to bone loss.
In women, estrogen helps protect bones. During menopause, estrogen levels drop significantly, accelerating bone loss and increasing the risk of osteoporosis.
In men, testosterone supports bone density. As men age, testosterone levels decline, leading to gradual bone loss.
Certain tumours lead to excess cortisol production and Cushing’s syndrome, which accelerates bone loss.
Long-term use of steroids can negatively impact bone health.
High doses of thyroid hormone, often used in treating thyroid cancer or hypothyroidism, can negatively impact bone density.
Disorders that lower sex hormone production can lead to significant bone loss and an increased risk of osteoporosis.
Conditions such as an overactive thyroid gland and hyperprolactinemia (excess prolactin production by the pituitary gland) can also lead to bone loss.
By managing these hormonal factors through regular check-ups and targeted treatments, you can significantly reduce the risk of osteoporosis and maintain strong bones.
For Comprehensive Osteoporosis Treatment and Management, consult Doctor Ester Yeoh at Aspen Diabetes & Endocrine Clinic today
Why Choose Our Osteoporosis Screening Package?
bone health comprehensively.
Package Includes:
Two Consultations with an Endocrinologist
- Initial Consultation: Review medical history and risk factors.
- Follow-up Consultation: Discuss test results and next steps.
Medical History & Lifestyle Assessment
- Review personal and family medical history.
- Evaluate lifestyle factors affecting bone health.
Radiology Investigation
- Bone Mineral Densitometry (BMD)
Laboratory Tests
- Full Blood Count
- Calcium Panel
- Vitamin D
- Liver and Kidney Function Profiles
- Testosterone Levels (Men Only)
*Terms & Conditions apply.
About Dr Ester Yeoh
Profile of Dr Ester Yeoh
Medical Director
Senior Consultant Endocrinologist
MBBS (S’pore), MRCP (UK), MMed (Int. Med.) (S’pore),
FRCP (Edin.), FAMS (Endocrinology)
Dr Ester Yeoh is a Senior Consultant Endocrinologist with dual accreditation in Endocrinology and Internal Medicine. She obtained her medical degree from the National University of Singapore in 2005. After completing basic specialist training in Internal Medicine, she trained in Endocrinology at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH), Singapore and attained specialist accreditation in Endocrinology in 2013.
Following that, she was awarded a fellowship by the Ministry of Health under the Health Manpower Development Plan (HMDP) at the Diabetes Centre in King’s College Hospital, London, UK where she was involved in clinical and research work in type 1 diabetes and hypoglycaemia.
Dr Yeoh rejoined KTPH as a Consultant in the Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, in 2015. Her professional focus is on several key areas of endocrinology, including type 1 diabetes, hypoglycaemia, obesity, and advanced diabetes technologies, encompassing insulin pump utilization and glucose sensors. She has published in numerous peer-reviewed journals and has been invited to present her work at local and international conferences. In addition to her technical proficiency, Dr Yeoh maintains a keen interest in the psychological aspects of diabetes care, embracing a holistic approach to patient well-being. Her dedication extends to the realm of digital health solutions, as she continually explores ways to enhance patient experiences and outcomes. Beyond these areas of expertise, she remains well-versed in thyroid disorders and general endocrinology.
Worried about osteoporosis? Schedule an osteoporosis screening today. Our assessment provides a detailed understanding of your bone health and guides the best strategies to maintain or improve it.
Osteoporosis FAQ
At Aspen Diabetes & Endocrine Clinic, our approach to osteoporosis management includes taking a comprehensive history of your personal medical and fracture history, as well as any family history of fractures. We evaluate your dietary history to assess your intake of calcium and vitamin D and consider your physical activity levels. Additionally, we conduct a thorough history, physical examination, and laboratory investigations to uncover any possible secondary osteoporosis disorders, such as hormonal disorders that could lead to osteoporosis.
The risks associated with osteoporosis screening are minimal. Blood investigations involve routine blood taking, and the bone mineral density or DEXA scan involves low radiation exposure, even less than that of a routine chest x-ray.
Yes, definitely. Certain medications, like steroids, chemotherapy agents, blood thinning medications, or seizure medications, can accelerate bone loss and increase the risk of osteoporosis. Additionally, medical conditions such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, epilepsy, and kidney or liver problems can also increase the risk. Screening for osteoporosis allows for early detection and intervention to prevent further bone loss, and continued follow-up can track any improvement in bone mineral density and the rate of bone loss.
There is no specific preparation needed for an osteoporosis screening test. Our doctor will discuss your condition and concerns with you before recommending blood investigations and scheduling the bone mineral density test.
