The current standard of care and most widely used measure of bone density is known as dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, or DXA. This is the best technique available for measuring bone density. However, DXA has one important drawback. It only gives a static measurement of bone density at one moment in time. It does not assess whether bone is actively being broken down. So it’s very possible that a person can have a DXA scan that shows healthy bone density while bone is actively being broken down, leading to eventual osteoporosis and/or fracture. And because these scans are generally done every two years, a person can be lead to believe that their lifestyle is supporting bone health, only to find out two years later that they are worse off than before.
As you may know, bone is living tissue that is constantly being remodeled. Cells that break down bone and cells that rebuild bone are constantly at work. For healthy bone remodeling we need more cells rebuilding bone rather than breaking it down. Unfortunately, a DXA will not reveal this information. However, there is a simple urine test that I recommend all peri- and post- menopausal women have done that can help measure the rate of bone quality and turnover. Men and those at increased risk of bone loss should also consider it.
This test is known as a urinary deoxypyridinoline (DPD) test. Dexypyridinoline is a crosslink of Type I collagen, which is found primarily in bone. The test measures how much of this compound is found in the urine. If there are elevated levels of DPD in the urine, it signifies that bone resorption (or breakdown) is occurring at too rapid a pace, leaving a person susceptible to fracture and/or bone deformation.
A urinary DPD should be considered not only for a baseline assessment, but to help determine if those undergoing treatment for lowered bone density or osteoporosis are being managed properly.
Dr. Rob D’Aquila – NYC Chiropractor – Diplomate of the International Board of Applied Kinesiology
Hi, my name is Tina, 48 years old,
Very pleased to chat with you.
A have a question regarding the comment you wrote on the Dr. Vino’s web site concerning allergies: I have a big mucus production problem after eating several different kinds of food like: milk products, beer, certain cereals, certain fruits, yeast containing foods, foods and drinks containing sulfites or other preservatives, so it might be allergies I guess? I have not used antibiotics that much but in my early 20’s I was exposed to sulphites at my work regularly because we were packing little packs for home wine making products at a home wine making wholesaler and I worked there over 7 years. Would this all be related to my sudden development of severe allergy symptoms. They started in winter 2012 with a glass of wine will we we’re on vacation in Texas. Symtomes were congestion, rapid heart beat during the night about 2 hours after last sip of wine. I drink 1 glass per week about. Then I had a very severe rapid heart beat attack during my sleep 2 hours after drinking 2 glasses of wine.I never drank wine again. I could not get to a doctor we were camping in a very retreated campground. I was weak for over a month before I recovered. The doctor that I saw after that can not find anything, cardiogramme, blood works, ultrasound etc… Now I’m waiting for an appointment at an allergy specialist.
I would like to have an explanation and is there something to do about this situation. I’m usualy in a very healthy condition. I work physicaly in house cleaning so maybe this has to do with it because of dust, mold etc…
Thank you for taking the time to read letter,
Tina
Hi Tina,
It’s very possible that you developed allergies and that is what is causing your symptoms. Other things to consider would be yeast overgrowth, molybdenum deficiency, and hyperthyroidism, or Hashimoto’s. Any way you look at it, it would be best to get your immune system functioning properly and any chronic inflammation under control.
Best of luck,
Dr. Rob D’Aquila