I've shrunk 2 inches!!

I was 5' 5.5" 30 years ago, 5'5 in 2004 and yesterday during my exam with my primary was measured at 5' 3.25."

All my blood work came back fine, even my liver function that had been bad in the past.  Calcium, Iron, B-12, everything good, though Vitamin D at the lower end of normal.  I'm in the North East and that's to be expected this time of year.  Regardless, I'm taking supplements for that starting today, just to bump it up a bit.

I had TONS of milk and cheese growing up and have continue that up to the present.  In 2001, I had cancer and my doctor had to drill into my hip bones to extract bone marrow to test.  He said my bones were the hardest he'd ever drilled into.

I started taking Synthroid 1.5 years ago.

Even though I'm not menopausal (yet) my doc gave me a script for a bone scan.  She (the doc) is puzzled as to why such a large drop in such a small time frame.

Any ideas?

I'm working out like a fiend these days, including intense weight training, which I love, every other day. I know this will help with the weight loss and maintenance, but also help to stop bone loss, if that's the problem

-Cynthia

Cynthia
I to share your problem 25 yrs ago I was 5'10" currently I stand 5'7 1/2". Part of the problem can be genetic. A narrowing of the spinal disc area. Your bone scan may show this. I've had several MRI's of my spine due to a very bad accident and spinal surgery. I have osteo arthritis in the lower spine causing disc compression and a shortening of the spine as well from the compression injury I've lost 5 disc's and that will shorten a person a bit to even with the new spacers they implant. You may want to ask about boniva.
I don't really have any answers for you just possible idea's of what maybe happening. Good luck and let us know what your doctor finds out.
Dawn

Dawn, thanks for the feedback.  It may indeed be something genetic.  I got the feeling my primary was stumped, but of course this was just her initial reaction upon finding out about the loss.

I promise I will report back when I find out more.

-Cynthia

Cynthia: I hope you get some answers and are catching it in time

when I googled it said that shrinking height can be one of the symptoms of  hyperparathyroidism. Is that what you are taking meds for?  Do you need your thyroid medication adjusted?

What was your PTH? I don't think the calcium level alone is enough to tell. Glad you are having the dexascan done. You are too young to be shrinking!

hugs, judi

I'm hypo-thyroid, that's the reason for the Synthroid. Who knows for how long.  I was diagnosed when doing to work up for my WLS.  According to the results from last week's blood work, no adjustment is needed for my Synthroid. 

I don't see PTH on the paperwork.  I have an appointment with my surgeon in a week or so.  I'll ask him about that.  The blood work I just had done was a combination of what he and my primary wanted.  I'm surprised neither ordered that test.  Is it normally done for post-ops?

I'm glad my primary wanted to get me scanned.  She also mentioned that while there is no way to regain the height I lost, we can prevent the loss from getting worse, more or less, with medication.

It sucks that I'm shorter, that means my BMI is higher and I need to lose more than I thought.

Just to add more info, I've never hurt my back and I have no back pain, and my spine is pretty flexible.  I'm able to not only touch my toes but put my palm flat on the ground.  I must have been a circus performer in a prior life.

-Cynthia

they are supposed to test the PTH. I guess you want the PTH down, and the D up to ensure that you are absorbing your calcium

I tried searching the Yahoo graduates group (I cannot figure out yahoo groups) for height and one person thought a theory is what has been said here:

being overweight can compress your spine, making you shorter, as you lose weight and exercise it can maybe come back

I hope it is that simple for you, keep us posted!

I'll be sure to push for (demand) the PTH test and do all I can to max out the D. 

I would kiss the ground my spine walks on, if it would decompress and I could get even a little height back.  

Not meant to be a shortie,

-Cynthia

This probably will make no sense but I know you will understand what I am trying to say.
Could some of the shrinkage be from the fact of you not being as thick? I mean like the bottom of your feet probably had a thicker meatier sole right? I have heard a lot of people say that their feet shrink length wise so I figured maybe they do height wise too? and same for your head?
Then as you lost weight the cartilage stuff in your spine could have shrunken some.
I don’t know just a uneducated guess.......
I hope you get it figured out soon! Your now shorter than me

I used to be 5" 3 3/4  now I am 5"2'  And I was not heavy when I was taller.  But I have been told, don't know how true,  that with cartilage missing in some joints, other areas having been compressed from being SMO that it is understandable.  I know I have no cartilage in my knees and I still have back problems.

My labs are all good and my last dexa scan was excellant but that was pre surgery and I had already shrunk. 

I wish I could be of more help, I don't want to shrink anymore myself!

Cynthia, my first thought was bone loss.  I agree with Judi have them run your PTH.  Although your calcium shows ok your body may not truly be absorbing the calcium correctly.  Also with low D I'd want to know the PTH.

Good deal on the scan, it's important to have a base line if nothing else.