Posted by Larry Hoover on December 6, 2008, at 12:47:43
In reply to Re: serotonin and bone density » Larry Hoover, posted by Quintal on December 6, 2008, at 10:20:47
> Thanks for posting the paper, and pointing out the error at the end. Obviously, as a tianeptine user I'm wondering what effect it might have on bone density. I take lansoprazole most days and it has been associated with an increased risk of hip fracture.
>
> QYou're welcome.
Tianeptine may be the only drug yet identified that directly reduces blood serotonin levels. Well, that's what this ten year old study declares: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9807972
A reduction in circulating serotonin would enhance bone formation, so you should be comforted that your antidepressant choice has the potential of producing a corollary benefit. We hear so much of side effects, which are characteristically negative. This would be a side effect, but as it is positive, I'd prefer to call it a side benefit. ;-)
As to the proton-pump inhibitor, the mechanism by which this occurs has not been identified. It might be little more than reducing solubility of dietary calcium with the change in stomach acidity. One Danish study showed that the effect was not significant until about 7 years of continual use. That might also implicate B12 deficiency, therefore, as it can take years to deplete liver stores of this nutrient; B12 also requires an acid stomach environment to promote absorption. So, bump up the calcium and vitamin D intake, and take a B12 supp, preferably a sublingual.
An alternative might be the H2-atagonist drugs, e.g. cimetidine, famotidine, ranitidine, or nizatidine. They are associated with a decreased risk of fracture. I have no idea why that might be the case.
Regards,
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:866984
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20081204/msgs/867024.html