As doctors who are experts in diagnosing and treating diseases of the joints, muscles and bones, rheumatology providers can help find the cause of osteoporosis. They can provide and monitor the best treatments for this condition.
Anyone taking glucocorticoid medicine must get enough calcium and vitamin D. The American College of Rheumatology recommends you should take at least 1,200 mg of calcium and 800 to 1,000 International Units (called IU) of vitamin D supplements each day. Your doctor may measure the vitamin D level in your blood to find out if you need more vitamin D supplementation.
Some people also will need medication. The decision to start prescription medications will depend on your other risk factors, the dose of glucocorticoid medication you are taking and how long you may be on it, as well as your BMD results by DXA.
The US Food and Drug Administration (better known as the FDA) has approved certain drugs to prevent and treat glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis. In a drug class called bisphosphonates, alendronate (Fosamax), risedronate (Actonel), and zoledronic acid (Reclast) are FDA approved for both the prevention and treatment of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis. Teriparatide (Forteo), a different type of drug, also is approved for treatment of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis. This manmade form of parathyroid hormone helps stimulate bone formation.
Women planning a pregnancy should talk to their doctor about the pros and cons of using a bisphosphonate or teriparatide. None of the prescription drugs for managing osteoporosis has enough safety data available to recommend using them in women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.