Diane wrote:
>She was told to wean 3 months ago in November, when she was diagnosed
with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia.  She continued to breastfeed even
though three doctors told her to wean.  Her osteoporosis is very
severe, and she is at risk for fractures.  Her T score and Z score are
-3.4.  They think the osteoporosis is related to her history of
hyperparathyroidism at age 17, and at that time she had her
parathyroid removed.
She wants to be pregnant by the end of the year, and her
endocrinologist advised her to wean immediately "to give her bones
time to prepare before they are leached again with pregnancy."

I don't know how this would apply to a mother who already has
osteoporosis, but here is a quote from an article by Alicia Dermer,
MD, IBCLC, (who used to be on Lactnet.)  You might want to check the
Sowers study that she mentions.

http://www.lalecheleague.org/NB/NBJulAug01p124.html
A Well-Kept Secret - Breastfeeding's Benefits to Mothers
    Alicia Dermer, MD, IBCLC

>Another important element used in producing milk is calcium. Because
women lose calcium while lactating, some health professionals have
mistakenly assumed an increased risk of osteoporosis for women who
breastfeed. However, current studies show that after weaning their
children, breastfeeding mothers' bone density returns to prepregnancy
or even higher levels (Sowers 1995). In the longterm, lactation may
actually result in stronger bones and reduced risk of osteoporosis. In
fact, recent studies have confirmed that women who did not breastfeed
have a higher risk of hip fractures after menopause (Cummings 1993).<

norma

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