Osteoporosis (low bone density) from PreP use?

[fallinlove]

I have just been diagnosed with Osteoporosis, and I'm absolutely shocked. I am young, 40, healthy, with no reason to have low bone density (my family doesn't have it). I've been on Prep (Truvada) for a few years and I know there's a small chance of the drug affecting your bones. I'm just shocked that the bone density test came out at full blown osteoporosis. I took the test just by chance because I was curious.

I'm sure there are many other Prep users on this forum. Just wondering if you've ever had a bone scan to test for this, or if you've have more broken bones than usual? Prep users always test for kidney and liver function, but almost never for bone density. Bone density issues are the 3rd highest serious side affect in the Truvada leaflet.

 

[Maklaar13]

You should start taking Magnesium Calcium Citrate supplement. Please make sure that it does not interfere with any medication that you are taking. Best of luck.

 

[rareboy]

meh.

I have had Osteoporosis for at least 20 years.

The least of troubles.

 

[lockeroomguy]

Make sure to regularly perform weight bearing exercises. That can significantly reduce the rate of further bone loss.

 

[hyperion]

I have just been diagnosed with Osteoporosis, and I'm absolutely shocked. I am young, 40, healthy, with no reason to have low bone density (my family doesn't have it). I've been on Prep (Truvada) for a few years and I know there's a small chance of the drug affecting your bones. I'm just shocked that the bone density test came out at full blown osteoporosis. I took the test just by chance because I was curious.

I'm sure there are many other Prep users on this forum. Just wondering if you've ever had a bone scan to test for this, or if you've have more broken bones than usual? Prep users always test for kidney and liver function, but almost never for bone density. Bone density issues are the 3rd highest serious side affect in the Truvada leaflet.

Hey. GP here, I work in sexual health. Bone density loss with truvada is a known long term side effect which usually affects people with HIV or other inflammatory diseases. That's one of the reasons that Descovy was developed (the tenofovir component was modified). In individuals who dont not have an inflammatory disease, the risk of BMD loss is very low. Statistically not significant but there are higher absolute numbers in the studies. It is likely that taking it on demand has a lower long term side effect than daily.
Bone density is usually not measured in people under 50. Not in Canada anyway, unless there is a reason (fragility fracture or suspected lower BMD on an X-Ray for example). So calculations and findings need to be interpreted with care. It MAY be (emphasis on MAY) that your BMD was always on the low side, that it is simply your constitution and is your normal.
Hope this helps a bit.

 

[fallinlove]

Hey. GP here, I work in sexual health. Bone density loss with truvada is a known long term side effect which usually affects people with HIV or other inflammatory diseases. That's one of the reasons that Descovy was developed (the tenofovir component was modified). In individuals who dont not have an inflammatory disease, the risk of BMD loss is very low. Statistically not significant but there are higher absolute numbers in the studies. It is likely that taking it on demand has a lower long term side effect than daily.
Bone density is usually not measured in people under 50. Not in Canada anyway, unless there is a reason (fragility fracture or suspected lower BMD on an X-Ray for example). So calculations and findings need to be interpreted with care. It MAY be (emphasis on MAY) that your BMD was always on the low side, that it is simply your constitution and is your normal.
Hope this helps a bit.

Thanks for your reply. I went to an Endocrinologist and Bone Specialist - they did tons of blood, urine and hormone tests on me to check if there's a secondary cause to the osteoporosis. Everything came out clean. They said they're almost 100% sure that my Prep use caused it. My bone density T-score is less than -3.0, which seems super bad for a 40 year old. The problem is that my insurance doesn't cover Descovy, so I'm basically without Prep now. Not too happy about it considering I need something to protect me...just in case.

There are thousands of young guys taking Truvada, and I really wonder if they know it can affect their kidney function and cause bone loss...

 

[rareboy]

Hopefully their FP's advise them of it.

It may ultimately be a matter of choice...fuck like rabbita with no protection or protect yourself for sex.

None of us can make that decision for any individual.

My osteoporosis is genetic. But I was lucky. Because I knew where it originated.

 

[Vannie]

Shady Pines!

 

[LilBit]

Thanks for your reply. I went to an Endocrinologist and Bone Specialist - they did tons of blood, urine and hormone tests on me to check if there's a secondary cause to the osteoporosis. Everything came out clean. They said they're almost 100% sure that my Prep use caused it. My bone density T-score is less than -3.0, which seems super bad for a 40 year old. The problem is that my insurance doesn't cover Descovy, so I'm basically without Prep now. Not too happy about it considering I need something to protect me...just in case.

There are thousands of young guys taking Truvada, and I really wonder if they know it can affect their kidney function and cause bone loss...

Yeah, my insurance won't cover Descovy either. I haven't been on Truvada very long, but my last bone density test showed that my bone density was excellent for my age. I'm going to continue to monitor it, and I'm also doing lots of weight-bearing exercise.

 

[Latimer]

I'd start taking creatine and increase the recommended dosage from 5 to 15 grams daily. It's cheap, effective and safe. It's the most studied health/bodybuilding supplement out there and recent studies show that it is also effective in decreasing the incidents of dementia in older adults. Easily available in bulk online. I've been taking it since I was in my teens.

A Critical Analysis : Does Creatine Affect Bone Density?

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trycreate.co

 

[hyperion]

Thanks for your reply. I went to an Endocrinologist and Bone Specialist - they did tons of blood, urine and hormone tests on me to check if there's a secondary cause to the osteoporosis. Everything came out clean. They said they're almost 100% sure that my Prep use caused it. My bone density T-score is less than -3.0, which seems super bad for a 40 year old. The problem is that my insurance doesn't cover Descovy, so I'm basically without Prep now. Not too happy about it considering I need something to protect me...just in case.

There are thousands of young guys taking Truvada, and I really wonder if they know it can affect their kidney function and cause bone loss...

I'm sorry that it happened to you. From the studies I've read/heard about during conferences, BMD loss due to PrEP should be reversible. That said, those were clinical studies from Pharmas so I always take their results with a grain of salt. There are other options now, namely Apretude. Definitely discuss the pros and cons with your physician. As far as I know, there is no impact on BMD. As any PrEP, it's not 100% effective. Neither are condoms, they can break. Apretude may not be covered by your insurance. At any rate, please discuss with your physician.
And again, sorry that PrEP had such an impact on your BMD. And hopefully, you'll be able to gain it back.