Question about Tenofovir and bone density loss.

[Zillar]

Hi, I am a 27 year old male and I was diagnosed with chronic Hepatitis B in 2012. Since then, I have been taking Zeffix (Lamivudine). Recently my doctor decided to put me on Viread (Tenofovir) instead. As I have read, some people are experiencing bone density loss due to Tenofovir therapy. Is it advisable that I start taking supplements like calcium and vitamin D along with my therapy to prevent bone loss? Thank you.

[joc2011]

i Took TNF for 7 years without any issues. I can tell u its almost safe.

While taking TNF, i also took 5k to 10k daily of Vit D3. Also took MK-7 Vitamin K2 at same time.

Vitamin K2 MK7 helps calcium go where it is needed in the body. Calcium can go to places in your body that is not good for your health such as building up in your blood vessels and causing some types of kidney stones and can even leach calcium out of your bones. This vitamin makes sure that does not happen and that calcium goes into the bones and teeth where it belongs.

[Zillar]

Thank you for your answer joc2011. You have been taking it for 7 years, wow that's a long time. So you advise taking Vitamin K2 MK7 and Vitamin D3 from 5k IU to 10k IU, the one with 1k IU is not sufficient?

[joc2011]

Yes 5K to 10K is recommended

[Zillar]

I have seen in suggested use that 5k one is advised to be taken one pill every 2 days and 10k one to be taken one pill every 3 days. Is that how you are taking it?

[Bm2016]

How long have you been on laminvudine? I took it for less than a years, more than a decade ago, and the hep b virus quickly mutated, luckily viread was available for hiv patients at the time, with my hbv DNA raising, I took viread anyway, and hbv along with the mutated one were quickly under control.  Every drug has side effects, bone density lost were reported as one, but was insignificant for me, my doctor was more concerned about the kidney functions.

[Zillar]

Thank you for your answer Bm2016. I have been taking lamivudine for like 5 years and 7 months. Now I am switching to Viread (tenofovir) . Have you had any significant problems with kidney functions?

[Jatashankar]

Bone loss is not that significant in healthy young individuals. It may become obvious only on very long term intake ie. Several Years.
Take it fearlessly, it is a safe drug and ofcourse its new congener TAF with more efficacy and ten times lower dose is about to come in all the markets so u can switch to it later on. Taking vit D is good for bone formation and immune system as some members here suggest. Taking unrequired calcium is not advisable from me.

[Zillar]

Thank you for your answer Jatashankar. I guess you are right. Taking unnecessary calcium will not benefit me. I will consider vitamin D.

[Oyebanji]

What's the difference between between TAF and TDF?

[Bravesoul]

TAF is an improved version of TDF with lower side effects like renal toxicity and loss of bone density.

[bigmoviebuff]

I've been on TDF for around 4-5 years and have low bone density. but not sure if it is due to the drug. recently switched to TAF so hoping that will help. I've been taking rainbow light Men's One for a long time too but that didn't seem to help.

[Zillar]

Sorry to hear that. Has that affected your life drastically? TAF seems to be better controlled and not so damaging to the kidneys and bones but In my country I doubt we have TAF. My country just recently started importing TDF since 2014. I think. Maybe if you take separate vitamins like D3 and K2 in higher doses would improve things.