Tracking progress through labs, symptoms, and lifestyle wins
🎯 What Does “Working” Mean?
Improving your bone health isn’t just about getting a better DEXA score (though we aim for that too). It’s about reducing bone turnover, restoring nutrient and hormone balance, and strengthening your muscle–bone connection.
If we can lower your CTX marker, improve your vitamin D, magnesium, and hormone levels, and get you feeling stronger, your plan is working.
📊 1. Track Your Early Biochemical Markers
| Marker | What to Expect | When |
| CTX (Urine) | ↓ 20–50% = active bone loss slowing | 3 and 6 months |
| 25(OH) Vitamin D | Goal: 30–60 ng/mL | 3–6 months |
| PTH | Normalizing means calcium/D is working | 3–6 months |
| RBC Magnesium | Gradual improvement (goal: >5.2 mg/dL) | 3–6 months |
| Inflammation (CRP/ESR) | Should drop if inflammation controlled | 3–6 months |
✅ CTX is our best early “success signal.” If it’s dropping, you’re likely rebuilding better bone.
🧠 2. Watch for These Symptom Wins
You may notice improvements before your scan changes. That’s a good sign.
Common early improvements:
- Fewer aches and less stiffness
- Better balance and posture
- More energy and fewer falls
- Sleep and recovery improve
- Boosted mood and confidence
- Improved strength (grip, squat, core)
✅ Even subtle changes can add up — you’re investing in long-term skeletal strength.
🏋️ 3. Measure Movement + Functional Gains
| Outcome | How to Track |
| Balance | Can you stand on one foot for 30 sec? |
| Strength | Can you do more squats, lifts, or stairs? |
| Mobility | Improved flexibility and recovery time? |
| Fall risk | Fewer stumbles or near-falls? |
| Confidence | Do you feel more physically resilient? |
🦴 4. Long-Term Wins: DEXA BMD Changes
We usually repeat BMD (bone mineral density) scans every 12–24 months, unless your PCP/endocrinologist recommends sooner.
| Outcome | What We’re Looking For |
| BMD stable or ↑ | Program working — maintain or intensify |
| BMD ↓ but CTX ↓ | Bone turnover slowed — keep building |
| BMD ↓ + CTX ↑ | Escalate care — refer or adjust plan |
✅ Bone takes time — don’t expect huge gains in 3 months. We aim for visible improvement by 12–18 months.
📅 Your Progress Timeline
| Month | What to Expect |
| Month 0 | Labs + intake + start protocol |
| Month 3 | CTX drop, better energy, better labs |
| Month 6 | Stronger, more mobile, labs stable |
| Month 12 | Repeat DEXA → aim for BMD gains |
| Ongoing | Adjust, intensify, or maintain plan |
💡 Pro Tips
- 📖 Review your milestone summaries in your portal
- 📝 Use your compliance tracker weekly or monthly
- 📩 Message us if unsure or stalled — we’re here to help
📎 Save & Review Before Each Follow-Up Visit
We’ll go over this at every consult — but having a sense of what we’re aiming for will help you stay engaged.