Bone Disease and Kidney Transplantation
Date issued: October 2022
Review date: October 2024
Ref: A-503/AS/Renal/Bone Disease and Kidney Transplantation
PDF: Bone Disease and Kidney Transplantation final October 2022.pdf [pdf] 297KB
What is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis (bone disease) happens when the normal structure of the bones becomes thinner, weaker, and more likely to break.
Previous bone disease caused by kidney problems, time on dialysis, diabetes, smoking, lack of exercise and transplant medications are all contributors to ongoing bone disease.
Tacrolimus and steroids can both lead to weakening of the bone, which increases the chances of fractures and back problems.
What can I do to help prevent developing bone problems?
Eating well and exercising are just some of the ways in which you can prevent bone disease.
Vitamin D and calcium are two of the many nutrients known to be essential in keeping bones healthy. There are also many other vitamins and minerals essential to bone health, so it is best to eat a varied diet.
|
Calcium rich foods |
Vitamin D (helps the body absorb calcium from foods you eat) |
|
Dairy products |
Fortified spreads and cereals |
|
Fish (tinned bony fish) |
Oily fish |
|
Fortified cereals |
Eggs |
Well-balanced Diet
If you are eating a well-balanced diet and are eating well from the four main food groups (fruit and vegetables, carbohydrates, dairy or alternatives, proteins), you will be getting everything you need.
Some transplant patients may need extra medication to try and help strengthen their bones (bisphosphonates) and some may need vitamin D or calcium supplementation, every patient is different, so the choice of treatment depends on individual circumstances. Please ask the Transplant Team before taking any supplements.
Further information
For more information on bone disease and how you prevent it, please see website details below:
Royal Osteoporosis Society: https://theros.org.uk/
