5 replies to this topic

[niner]

My wife had a DexaScan that showed slight osteopenia, so she started taking Jarrow's bone formulation known as "Bone Up". It caused her to be extremely thirsty. I've been using it for over a year and have not had that response, but I'm not a 130 lb Caucasian female... What do you think is the cause of her thirst when taking this? She's gone off and on, and the thirst goes and returns, so it seems to be due to this and not something else. Bone up is mostly Microcrystalline Hydroxy Apatite, essentially reconstituted cow bones. I suspect it is the cause of the thirst, but what does this mean? An endocrine issue? Something else? Here's an ingredient list: (amounts for a full dose of 6 caps)

Vitamin C (as ascorbic acid) 200 mg
Vitamin D3 (as cholecalciferol) 1000 IU
Vitamin K1 (as phylloquinone) 100 mcg
MK-7 (vitamin K2 as menaquinone-7) 10 mcg
B12 (as methylcobalamin) 100 mcg
Microcrystalline Hydroxyapatite (MCHA) 4762 mg
Calcium (elemental from MCHA) 1000 mg
Phosphorus (from MCHA) 510 mg
Protein (from MCHA) 1514 mg
Magnesium (as magnesium oxide) 500 mg
Zinc (as zinc monomethionate) 10 mg
Copper (as copper gluconate) 1 mg
Manganese (as manganese citrate) 1 mg
Potassium (as potassium citrate) 99 mg
Boron (as boron citrate) 3 mg

[StrangeAeons]

Two pure guesses, with a common theme:
1) Lots of electrolytes; changes in blood osmolarity, leading to fluid shifts.
2) Have you checked her blood sugar? Polyphagia +polyuria + polydipsia = hyperglycemia
On that note, changes in urinary or dietary habits? Changes in urine smell or appearance?

[drtom]

I would urge you to convince your wife to have a medical examination, with an emphasis on blood glucose levels.
Extreme thirst is a classic symptom of diabetes.
It may come and go and this may have coincided with the ingestion of the "Bone Up".

Please do this.

Good luck.

DrTom

[niner]

Diabetes/hyperglycemia was the first thing that occurred to me. She seems to have a tendency toward hypoglycemia if anything, based on her horrible mood if she doesn't eat regularly. This alone does not rule out poor glucose control in general, but her fasting blood glucose has always been normal. The most recent check of this was only several months ago. I'd like to look into this angle further, and will try to get a hemoglobin A1C on her at the least. I'm convinced that the excessive thirst is related to the Bone Up, in that she's never had it except when on the supplement, and it tracks when she has cycled on and off of it.

[StrangeAeons]

Glucometer's aren't that expensive, you could try tracking her levels during the episodes a few times just to be sure. I think the biggest concern is whether the thirst is accompanied by excessive urination, especially if the urine is not dilute (i.e. osmotic diuresis) because then her kidneys are taking a hit.
Of course, in the school of medicine that says, "If it hurts when you do that, don't do that" I would suggest stopping the BoneUp and just getting in the D and K's, along with Cal and Mag.

[niner]

Glucometer's aren't that expensive, you could try tracking her levels during the episodes a few times just to be sure. I think the biggest concern is whether the thirst is accompanied by excessive urination, especially if the urine is not dilute (i.e. osmotic diuresis) because then her kidneys are taking a hit.
Of course, in the school of medicine that says, "If it hurts when you do that, don't do that" I would suggest stopping the BoneUp and just getting in the D and K's, along with Cal and Mag.

I'm starting to lean toward your first thought, that it's just a big load of electrolytes. Urination was commensurate with the amount of water she drank, and was reported to be normal in appearance/odor. She's stopped the BoneUp for now; I suspect we'll go to individual supplements as you suggest. Thanks for the advice; much appreciated.