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Osteoporosis
Weak and brittle bones – specialist assessment and treatment
BONE & CALCIUM SPECIALIST – DHA LAHORE
Bone & Calcium Disorders Treatment in Lahore
Specialist endocrinology care for osteoporosis, Vitamin D deficiency, parathyroid disorders and calcium imbalances at DHA Lahore.
- ✓ Osteoporosis & bone density assessment
- ✓ Vitamin D & calcium disorders
- ✓ Parathyroid disorder management
- ✓ DHA Lahore – Mon to Sat
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Conditions Treated
Dr. Rizwan Niazi specialises in the full range of bone and calcium disorders requiring endocrinology assessment.
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Parathyroid Disorders
Overactive or underactive parathyroid affecting calcium levels
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Vitamin D Deficiency
Low Vitamin D causing bone pain, fatigue and muscle weakness
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Book a Consultation
Not sure which condition applies? A specialist assessment identifies the exact cause.
Why Bone & Calcium Disorders Need an Endocrinologist
Bone health is not just about calcium tablets. The three key players – parathyroid hormone (PTH), Vitamin D and calcium – are deeply interconnected, and when one is disrupted, the others follow. Correctly identifying which system has failed first requires specialist endocrinology investigation, not a general prescription.
For example, low calcium may look like a simple dietary deficiency but could actually be caused by hypoparathyroidism, Vitamin D malabsorption or chronic kidney disease. Treating only the end result without addressing the hormonal cause leads to recurrence and ongoing bone damage.
Dr. Rizwan Niazi, with 18+ years of specialist endocrinology experience and international training (MBBS, MRCP, MCPS, MD), takes a systematic approach: full history, targeted blood tests (PTH, 25-OH Vitamin D, serum calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase), and if indicated, bone density scanning (DEXA scan). This gives a complete picture before any treatment is started.
Osteoporosis: Silent Until It Breaks
Osteoporosis is often called a silent disease because bone loss happens gradually over years without obvious symptoms – until a fracture occurs. In Pakistan, it is particularly common in postmenopausal women and older men, but can also affect younger people with hormonal imbalances, prolonged steroid use or chronic Vitamin D deficiency.
The DEXA scan (bone densitometry) is the gold standard for diagnosis, measuring bone mineral density and giving a T-score that quantifies fracture risk. Dr. Rizwan advises on when a DEXA scan is warranted and interprets results in the context of each patient’s full hormonal and metabolic picture.
Treatment is tailored: Vitamin D and calcium supplementation where deficient, bone-strengthening medications when indicated, lifestyle modifications, and monitoring to track improvement over time.
Parathyroid Disorders: The Calcium Regulator
The four parathyroid glands, each the size of a grain of rice, sit behind the thyroid gland in the neck and produce parathyroid hormone (PTH). PTH is the master regulator of calcium in the bloodstream – when calcium drops, PTH rises to pull calcium from bones and increase its absorption from food.
When these glands become overactive (hyperparathyroidism), PTH stays persistently high, leading to high blood calcium, weakened bones, kidney stones and fatigue. When they are underactive (hypoparathyroidism – often following thyroid surgery), calcium drops, causing muscle cramps, tingling in the hands and feet, and in severe cases, seizures.
Both conditions require careful endocrinology management. Dr. Rizwan investigates through PTH, calcium and Vitamin D blood tests, interprets results in combination, and coordinates treatment – including surgical referral where a parathyroid adenoma is confirmed.
Vitamin D Deficiency: Extremely Common in Pakistan
Despite abundant sunshine, Vitamin D deficiency is pervasive across Pakistan. Cultural dress practices, indoor lifestyles and darker skin pigmentation all reduce the body’s ability to synthesise Vitamin D from sunlight. The result is widespread bone pain, muscle weakness, fatigue and a higher risk of osteoporosis.
Vitamin D is not just a bone vitamin – it plays a role in immune function, muscle strength and mood. A 25-OH Vitamin D blood test gives the definitive measurement, and Dr. Rizwan prescribes the correct loading dose and maintenance schedule based on the severity of deficiency, rather than one-size-fits-all supplementation.
The Assessment Process
- Full medical history including medications, diet and symptoms
- Blood tests: serum calcium, phosphate, PTH, 25-OH Vitamin D, alkaline phosphatase, kidney function
- Bone density scanning (DEXA) where indicated
- Diagnosis and explanation of findings
- Personalised treatment plan with follow-up monitoring
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes weak bones?+
Weak bones (osteoporosis) result from an imbalance where bone breakdown outpaces bone formation. Common causes include ageing, menopause, low Vitamin D and calcium intake, prolonged steroid use, overactive thyroid, and parathyroid disorders. In many cases, there is an identifiable hormonal cause that a specialist can address.
What is osteoporosis?+
Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones become porous and fragile, significantly increasing the risk of fractures – especially of the hip, spine and wrist. It often causes no symptoms until a fracture occurs, which is why specialist assessment and DEXA scanning are important for at-risk individuals.
Can Vitamin D deficiency cause bone pain?+
Yes. Low Vitamin D leads to poor calcium absorption, causing a condition called osteomalacia (softening of bones) in adults, which presents as diffuse bone pain, muscle weakness and fatigue. This is different from osteoporosis but equally important to diagnose and treat correctly.
What tests check bone health?+
Blood tests include serum calcium, phosphate, PTH (parathyroid hormone), 25-OH Vitamin D, alkaline phosphatase and kidney function. The DEXA scan measures bone mineral density and is the gold standard for diagnosing osteoporosis. Dr. Rizwan advises which tests are relevant based on your symptoms and history.
What is the parathyroid gland?+
There are four parathyroid glands, each about the size of a grain of rice, located behind the thyroid in the neck. Their sole job is to control calcium levels in the blood by producing parathyroid hormone (PTH). They are completely separate from the thyroid gland and serve a different function.
How is Vitamin D deficiency treated in Pakistan?+
Treatment involves Vitamin D supplementation. The dose and duration depend on the severity of deficiency measured by the 25-OH Vitamin D blood test. Severely deficient patients require a loading dose regimen followed by maintenance. Self-supplementation without testing often leads to under-treatment or, less commonly, over-supplementation.
Can osteoporosis be reversed?+
Osteoporosis cannot be fully reversed, but bone density can be improved and fracture risk significantly reduced with appropriate treatment. Addressing the underlying hormonal cause (if present), optimising Vitamin D and calcium, prescribing bone-strengthening medications where indicated, and regular monitoring all contribute to measurable improvement over time.
What is a normal calcium level?+
Normal serum calcium is typically 2.1 to 2.6 mmol/L (or 8.5 to 10.5 mg/dL depending on the laboratory). Values above or below this range warrant further investigation. Calcium should always be interpreted together with PTH and Vitamin D levels, as these three are interlinked in regulation.
