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Is Loss Of Height In Middle Aged People Associated With Osteoporosis?

Posted on Thu, 17 Aug 2017

Question: Hello. I was told by a doctor that my height is five foot six, and when I was young I was five seven and a half. I have read that everyone loses height over time. But is it possible that this loss of height even in a middle age man is related to osteoporosis? Thanks.

Answered by Dr. Saddiq Ulabidin (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Yes it is quite possible

Detailed Answer:
Hi! Welcome to HealthcareMagic! Thanks for sharing your concerns with us. We will try to help you in best way possible.

Based on the query you have shared, yes it is quote possible and it is natural to lose hieght with age. Woth osteoporosis the process speeds up and may lead to loss of few inches in height due to vertebral disc prolapses or loss of bone density leading to bowing of bones or decreased joint spaces that can eventually lead to a decreased height.

Best way to diagnose is to have Dexa bone scan to measure bone mineral density and calcium, phosphate and vitamin D levels and parathyroid hormone is some cases along with alkaline phsopahatse to differentiate between these conditions.

Replacements with intravenous bisphonates or oral replacements with ossien mineral complexes, calcium, vitamin D3 etc may slow down the process.

Hope this has answered your query, if you have any more questions, feel free to ask. Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Saddiq Ulabidin (37 minutes later)

Thank you very much, Dr. Ulabidin. I thought osteoporosis was usually in women. My usual blood tests are all basically in range, including Vitamin D, because for several years I have been taking it. I am at around 65 for Vitamin D3. But when is a Dexa bone scan recommended and indicated in a 60 year old male in general?

Answered by Dr. Saddiq Ulabidin (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Dexa scan is indicated based on clinical history

Detailed Answer:
Hi! Thanks for sharing your feedback. The indication of Dexa scan is based on clinical history like easy fractures with trivial traumas, or bone pains, or joint problems occurring frequently showing low bone densities on routine radiographs or like you mentioned to be having rapid decrease in skeletal height or bowing of bones etc. High index of suspicion is kept in lost menopausal women but men with significant history are also kept under surveillance. In any case the replacement therapy we have discussed earlier can be started. Hope this has answered your query, if you have any more questions, feel free to ask. Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Saddiq Ulabidin (1 hour later)

So you mean that an ordinary man without the symptoms you mentioned simply loses height because of aging, and that this common? Indeed, I met someone in his early 60s who told me he had lost a couple of inches, from five ten to five seven or eight.

Answered by Dr. Saddiq Ulabidin (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes it's possible but varies between individuals

Detailed Answer:
Hi! Yes it's quite possible due to decreased joint spaces and increased curvatures of spine leading to loss of head to toe hieght. The variations between individuals may exist and accordingly difference of hieght lost may also varry. Regards.

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana