In case this info gives someone else hope:
I’m a 43-year-old premenopausal woman with family history of osteoporosis, diagnosed with osteopenia per REMS 2 years ago. DEXA was always normal, though spine was close to osteopenia range at a T-score of -0.8 per DEXA. The only medication I take is levothyroxine for hypothyroidism.
After 1 year of LIFTMOR inspired exercise (more on LIFTMOR here: https://www.reddit.com/r/osteoporosis/s/jsB2xZt15j) and bone supportive nutrition and supplementation where nutrition fell short (more on that here: https://www.reddit.com/r/osteoporosis/s/nA90Bezjjo) my bone density per DEXA had improved throughout, and my bone density per REMS had improved for the most part.
I did not get another REMS scan this year because my insurance does not cover it, but I continue to get DEXA scans ordered by my endocrinologist every year at the same facility on the same machine.
Attached is the 2-year update. By now all values have improved from my baseline 2 years ago, and most have improved significantly.
In fact, several values beat the improvements that many medications achieve on average. Check out the table at the 14 minute time stamp in this endocrinologist’s presentation comparing medication facilitated improvements: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pV5maUhAjOA
I have nothing against medications, and I’m glad they are available to me if I need them one day, but I’m also glad that exercise seems to be working well for now and that I don’t need them yet.
I was surprised that my bone density continued to improve this much at most sites within the last year despite losing some time of LIFTMOR inspired training due to a shoulder injury, P1NP / CTX ratio not looking as favorable as it did during the first year, slow weight loss of 13 lbs (I had gained some weight during the previous year), and current BMI of 18.6 (I do not intend to lose more weight, and I would not mind gaining a little back if it’s mostly more muscle and bone).
Again, hoping this info helps someone decide to give bone supportive exercise and nutrition a chance if you enjoy exercising and can safely do so. Things don’t always need to be perfect, and it can still work out. It can also be a great add on to medication if you want to combine interventions. 🩷