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I have recently started taking Forteo injections, for ...
Sent to Health Experts September 08 01:59 PM

I have recently started taking Forteo injections, for osteoporosis. I also have been taking a multivitamin with minerals, which is also supposed to "provide critical nutrients depleted by commonly used prescription drugs. I also take a colostrum supplement with Beta-glucans, Lactoferrin, and Citrus Pectin. In addition I take 1 tbsp. Flax oil per day, or 6 capsules salmon oil/fish oils per day, to get my essential fatty acids. I also take a glyconutrient sugars immune support supplement, from Mannatech. And I take a nano B-complex supplement as well.

I also understand that the Forteo does not have good interactions with blood-thinning medications. What is it about the blood thinners that diminishes Forteo's effects? I know that the Flax oil and essential fatty acids naturally thin the blood. However they are so good for your health and healthy skin...I don't want to have to give them up if I don't have to.

My medical doctor doesn't seem to be well educated on natural remedies, so he wasn't much help in answering my questions.

My questions are: is it safe to take these supplements while on the Forteo? Or could any of these supplements diminish the affect of the Forteo? (The Forteo stimulates more osteoblast production...could any of these supplements think there are too many osteoblasts and try to lower the amount of osteoblasts?). Help! I have used these supplements to support my overall health, and don't want to give them up, however if I have to, to make sure the Forteo will work safely and effectively, then I will.

 

Optional Information:
Female , Age: 44

Already Tried:
Natural Supplementation up until now. I started the Forteo yesterday.

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
September 8 3:17 PM (1 hour and 18 minutes and 10 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
While it is impossible to say with any certainty if any of the supplements that you are taking should interfere with Forteo (since no clinical studies have been done on the subject), Forteo should not have any bad interactions with any of the nutritional supplements that you are taking. Forteo, in general, is very well tolerated, and actually has very few interactions; there aren't any interactions, either, with blood thinners (the only interactions that are important are with digoxin and furosemide - and these are minor if significant at all). So it should be just fine.

None of the supplements that you mention should interfere, either, with the overall action of Forteo. Again, no studies have been performed that show if these supplements can effect Forteo (or other medications), but since many of them are essential oils/vitamins, then I think you should be just fine. So continue the supplementation, as desired.

I hope this helps. Please let me know if you have any further questions - I'm more than happy to try and help.

Take care - Dr. Fay


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Reply
September 8 5:26 PM (2 hours and 8 minutes and 44 seconds later)
         
Reply to Jonathan Fay, M.D.'s Post: Dear Dr. Fay,

Thank you very much for your response. It was very informative and helpful.

I have one further question for clarification: My naturopath has prescribed for me a natural estrogen/progesterone cream, plus DHEA (my DHEA levels are very low), and also an herbal adrenal support, which contains several different herbs, plus bladderwack, Guggul, arabinogalactan, carbon-matrix humate,Saccharomyces Cer, Protease, Lipase, Amylase, Cellulase, Invertase, Lactase, and Maltase.

Does anything about these hormones and hormone support seem like it would conflict with the Forteo, or is it basically okay to take these as well?
Answer
September 8 5:39 PM (13 minutes and 33 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark
You're very welcome. Kudos for your for taking charge of your own health, and doing all that you can to stay healthy.

I don't any of these would be a problem, either. Most creams are only absorbed in minute amounts systemically, so most creams in general don't interfere with other medications. And hormone replacement only helps maintain bone mass, in any event.

As far the herbs are concerned, it's impossible to say with any certainty if they would interfere (since there have been no studies done on the subject), but more likely than not they won't have any effect on the Forteo. The enzyme supplements should have no effect (protease, etc.).

So I think all of them shouldn't pose a problem, at all, and you should do just fine with them all together. Just make sure that your naturopath (and your physician) are aware of what you are taking. And always remain vigilant, on your own part, to see how you are feeling in response to these treatments. You might find that some of these herbals or enzymes might not sit well with you.

One thing that people commonly don't realize is that many herbals and supplements are, in effect, "medications"! That doesn't mean that they aren't safe (they might be, but we don't know because there haven't been clinical studies performed), it just means that we don't know always what their effects will be. But I am of the opinion, that since we don't know otherwise, if you prefer and if there is the possibility that they might help, then it's up to you. But just remain vigilant.

Let me know if you need anything else, and take care - Dr. Fay


If I have helped, then please click the ACCEPT button and leave positive feedback - Thank you, and take care
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