Television presenter Anthea Turner has opened up about a health battle she believes more people should be aware of, revealing changes she has had to make to her life in order to manage it.
The former Blue Peter host, 64, suffers from osteopenia, which describes a person who has lower bone density than average for their age.
If the condition is left untreated, it can lead to osteoporosis, which weakens bones and causes them to become fragile, increasing the risk of them breaking.
Turner was diagnosed with the condition in her late 40s and recently explained: “I’m not a smoker or a drinker and I’ve always had a healthy diet.
“After I was diagnosed I went to my GP and asked if anything could be done, and he said no, and just to keep my fingers crossed that it didn’t get any worse.”
She added, according to MailOnline: “I was in my late forties and probably perimenopausal, but back then no one talked about it and my doctor didn’t mention the correlation between the menopause and bone thinning.
TV personality Anthea Turner has been on screens for decades
PA
“Osteoporosis was just treated as an aspect of ageing, like grey hair or needing reading glasses.”
The star explained how she underwent DEXA scans and precision blood tests before starting essential medications to manage the condition.
“I also received practical advice to reverse the decline in my bone density such as weight bearing and resistance exercise,” she continued.
“It is possible to obtain a DEXA test on the NHS, but only if you knock on doors and insist. Sadly, they are not routine and tend to be done after a fracture has already happened.”
Presenter Anthea Turner has warned others about osteopenia and how to manage the condition
Getty
Sharing advice based on her own experience, she went on to plead: “Everyone should find out their T-score in the same way you should know your blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
“GP practices are required to monitor these because identification and treatment saves lives. The same should be true of our bone health.
“Aside from the costs, fractures caused by weak bones cause disruption and emotional cost to people’s lives, so it is imperative that we know our score and how to improve it.”
The publication stated she had also made some lifestyle changes to manage the symptoms.
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Anthea Turner was diagnosed with the health condition in her forties
Getty
“Eating healthily isn’t just about calories, it’s about eating the right foods – avoiding ultra-processed foods, adopting a Mediterranean diet, with plenty of fruit and vegetables, calcium-rich food, and proteins.
“As much as we love it, never forget sugar is our enemy. It attacks every part of our body including our bones; it robs them of vital nutrients.
“An analogy which I keep in my head is: if you live to the national average age, the first 40 years are on the house, youth fixes most ills but the next 40, if you want to live an active unrestricted life, you need to put some effort in.
“All women – and men – should be doing some weight-bearing exercises. You don’t need to find an expensive gym, something as simple as three sets of 10-star jumps is a good start and resistance exercises are largely about using your own body weight to do the job.”
It comes one month after her This Morning appearance in which she shared details of osteopenia.