What Is Metabolic Bone Disease?
Many patients with chronic kidney disease suffer from metabolic bone disease, which can lead to bone loss and fractures over time. Our experienced team at Texas Advanced Renal Health will work with you to get your mineral levels in check to preserve your bone health and enhance your quality of life. You can always count on us for the exceptional care you deserve.
Metabolic Bone Disease – An Overview
Metabolic bone disease (MBD) is a disorder of the bones caused by bone mass or structure conditions, such as osteoporosis or abnormal levels of calcium, phosphorus, or vitamin D. MBD left untreated, can lead to bone loss, weak and fragile bones, repeated fractures, and even disability.
Your Kidneys and Mineral Balance
Your kidneys play an essential role in keeping your bone mass and structure healthy and sound. They help balance the calcium and phosphorus levels in your blood, activate vitamin D from your foods into calcitriol that your bones can use, and remove extra phosphorus from your blood and pass it out in the urine. They also send calcium and phosphate into your bloodstream from the kidney and bones whenever more is needed.
When the kidneys are damaged, they cannot balance the hormone and mineral levels in the body, creating an imbalance of calcium and removing excess phosphorus from your blood. That causes the blood to pull calcium from your bones, leaving them weaker and prone to fracture. Moreover, kidney damage leads to the parathyroid glands releasing extra parathyroid hormone into the blood to move calcium from the bones and restore blood calcium levels, further stripping the bones of the much-needed calcium.
What Are the Complications of Metabolic Bone Disease?
MBD causes many complications, including slowed bone growth, bone deformities, bone fractures, and heart and blood vessel problems. Patients with MBD resulting from chronic kidney disease are more prone to fractures and often experience a poorer quality of life.
Treating Metabolic Bone Disorder
Your trusted team at Texas Advanced Renal Health will evaluate your unique needs and create a tailored treatment plan to address your MBD. Treatment options include exercising to strengthen your bones, dietary changes, and calcium and vitamin D supplementation if your calcium is too low. We may also recommend phosphate binders to control phosphorus levels in your blood, diuretics and bisphosphonates if your calcium is too high, and medications to control your parathyroid glands. In some cases, we may need to remove one or more of your parathyroid glands.
Preventing Metabolic Bone Disorder
While it’s impossible to prevent MBD altogether, there are ways to delay its start and slow its progression. Maintain a kidney-healthy diet, stay active, quit smoking, and limit your alcohol intake. Make sure to keep up with all prescribed medications and visits to Texas Advanced Renal Health to allow us to monitor your kidney health and make any treatment changes when necessary.
Metabolic Bone Disease Care Near Me in McKinney, TX
Contact your kidney care team at Texas Advanced Renal Health to learn more about maintaining your kidney and bone health and living your life to the fullest. We will evaluate your unique needs and discuss your treatment options to keep your bones strong and lower your risk of bone loss, fractures, and disability. Call 972-548-4833 to schedule your appointment today!