What is osteopenia?

Osteopenia is a condition where bone mineral density is lower than normal that may be a precursor to osteoporosis although not always. Osteopenia is defined by a test that measures bone mineral density.

How do members experience osteopenia?

Top 5 symptoms reported by people with osteopenia*

Common symptoms
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Common symptom
Fatigue
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Modafinil Amantadine Handicap/Disability Parking Permit
Common symptom
Pain
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen Tramadol Ibuprofen
Common symptom
Back pain
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Heating Pad-Hot Packs Lidocaine patch Chiropractic Therapy
Common symptom
Stress
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Listen to Music Deep breathing and relaxation Individual Therapy
Common symptom
Pain in hip(s)
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Alendronate Chiropractic Therapy Conjugated estrogens-medroxyprogesterone

*Reports may be affected by other conditions and/or medication side effects. We ask about general symptoms (anxious mood, depressed mood, fatigue, pain, and stress) regardless of condition.

Top treatments taken by people for osteopenia*

Treatment
Type
How many have tried
Tried for
Treatment

(Vitamin D Prescription)
Type
Supplement
How many have tried
375
Tried for
osteopenia (10)
Treatment

(Cal-600)
Type
Supplement
How many have tried
308
Tried for
osteopenia (4)
Treatment

(Fosamax)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
114
Tried for
osteopenia (2)

*Data from patients with osteopenia, who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.

Compare treatments taken by people with osteopenia*

Treatment
Perceived effectiveness
Side effects
Total evaluations
Tried for
Treatment

(Vitamin D Prescription)
Perceived effectiveness
for osteopenia (4 evaluations)
Side effects
Total evaluations
4
Tried for
osteopenia (10)
Treatment

(Cal-600)
Perceived effectiveness
for osteopenia (1 evaluation)
Side effects
Total evaluations
1
Tried for
osteopenia (4)
Treatment

(Fosamax)
Perceived effectiveness
for osteopenia (4 evaluations)
Side effects
nausea
Total evaluations
4
Tried for
osteopenia (2)

*Data from patients with osteopenia, who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.

Who has osteopenia on PatientsLikeMe?

Age

Age Proportion # of patients
<20 0
20s 10
30s 57
40s 139
50s 245
60s 406
70+ 293

Distribution of sex

Sex

Sex Proportion # of patients
Male 116
Female 1,027