I spoke with someone yesterday about this same case I believe. I
have breastfed for 5 years following a diagnosis of severe osteoporosis, T
score -4.4, and 3 vertebral factures. I was able to obtain good increases in
spinal bone mass while I continued to breastfeed. I have increased 29.5%, T
socre -2.9, since diagnosis with the lowest gain actualy occurring in the
year AFTER I weaned. I think it was due to slacking off on the exercise. The
cause of my osteoporosis has never been determined by a health care
professional. I have treated with natural hormones estrogen and progesterone
along with calcium supplements, magnetics, homeopathy, exercise. The natural
hormones did not interfere with milk supply. I briefly used a birth control
pill for this purpose which did lower my milk supply. My personal opinion is
that this mothers desire to have another pregnancy so close would interfere
with rebuilding bone, but breastfeeding would not. I would like to see her
have a little more time to gain back some density before another pregnancy.
The literature is fairly clear that women lose about 5% in the first months
of breastfeeding, but they do gain it back and often gain back even more
than they lost once menses resume. If this mom has a -3.4% T score that puts
her at around a 60% loss of spinal density. I don't have the study in front
of me, but the risk of fractures decreases with even small increases in bone
density. Besides that, it causes a lot of pain to be so low in bone density.

	From what I understand from the conversation yesterday this woman
would be a good candidate for Forteo or Parathyroid hormone since that
deficiency has been diagnosed as the cause of her problem. This is in
injectable drug so it is not orally bioavailable and therefore cannot get
into the baby. No concern for breastfeeding. Other osteoporosis drugs on the
market, such as Fosamax, work by slowing the body's loss of bone. The
estrogen also works this way. Forteo is the only treatment that actually
prompts the body to make new bone.
	I have posted extensively on Lactnet about this so you will find it
in the archives beginning January 2000 if you want further details.
Judy Gutowski, BA, IBCLC, RLC
Breastfeeding Matters
Here in snowy PA, a beautiful winter day.
	

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