thyroid disease, osteoarthritis and Calcitonin...

[Sherry20]

For those of you who have thyroid disease and osteoarthritis, have you ever had your Calcitonin levels checked?  I never have, and now I have pretty severe osteo cropping up all over my body.

I just read the following article:

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-07/jws-apn072307.php

That talks about using Calcitonin to treat osteoarthritis.  Now I'm wondering, since we already have thyroid disease, if our thyroids are producing ENOUGH calcitonin to protect/repair cartilage.  From my research, I've only been able to find info regarding high Calcitonin, not low.  I'm not even sure if low Calcitonin is considered a problem yet. 

But I'm now REALLY wondering if thyroid patients should be treated with Calcitonin as well to prevent joint damage?

Thoughts, anyone?

ETA, further reading tells me that Calcitonin controls blood calcium levels, and wouldn't have a lower range, but too high would be a problem.  Sorry, but I don't think this is the answer.  But I do know that osteo and thyroid disease go hand in hand.  So we're missing something with our standard levothyroxine treatment.

[irish]

Calcitonin is given in a nasal spray and was used for years to improve calcium in bones. I have never had my levels checked nor did any of the patients in long term care or assisted living who used it. As time went by they Fosamax became the drug of choice and then the newer ones were added to the arsenal.

My hubby was on calcitonin for quite a few years for his osteoporsis. He was put on the Fosamax and had to quit taking it as he got so much bone pain from it. I asked the doc about taking the calcitonin again and he said that the calcitonin has been shown not to do as much as they thought. So, hubby continues to take only calcium for his osteoporosis and I pray a lot. Thank goodness he has been active all his life and still is active for a guy who smokes, has COPD and just turned 70.

His doc also says that when people have osteoporosis this not not mean that you will have a fracture. Many, many people never have fractures. And then there are some who sneeze and break a bone. Such a dilemma. Hopefully, they will soon find out how to treat this problem sucessfully. Irish

[Linda196]

The study is quite intriguing, but calcitonin is one of those elements that is only a part of a whole domino type chain, and not something to be added or taken away without thourough research into blood levels of calcitonin, calcium, vitamin D levels and PTH. One thing that would particularly concern me is the fact that calcitonin prevents calcium from being released into the blood, and low blood calcium can cause a lot of problems. It is important to maintain an adequate diet rich in calcium and vitamin D while taking this medication.

Could definitely be worth discussing with your doctor, but be prepared for the possibility of having to pay for the calcitonin if you don't have a diagnosis of Paget's disease or postmenopausal osteoporosis. Also be prepared for the possibility that the nasal spray can cause increased dryness.