Author | Lightnews

Rick Keller

Rick Keller

@rickkeller.bsky.social

410 followers 110 following 2.7K posts

I study health problems. I enjoy perpetuating knowledge, wisdom, altruism & kindness. I enjoy the aroma of coffee in the morning. Healthy living works — and rocks! 💪🏼🏃🏻‍♂️🫀⚕️ I love my baby girl, Coco. 🐱 I love 8️⃣0️⃣s music 📍 San Antonio, TX

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Rick Keller @rickkeller.bsky.social · Dec 11

This morning, I learned that I am officially a diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. 😃⚕️

Rick Keller @rickkeller.bsky.social · 9m

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Rick Keller @rickkeller.bsky.social · 2h

Thank you, Jo! 💛

Rick Keller @rickkeller.bsky.social · 2h

Thank you, my friend. 💛

Rick Keller @rickkeller.bsky.social · 18h

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Rick Keller @rickkeller.bsky.social · 18h

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Rick Keller @rickkeller.bsky.social · 18h

Hi, thank you for sharing you story. My best advice to anyone searching for answers to an unexplained medical condition: keep consulting and searching for a doctor with an interest in your case.

Rick Keller @rickkeller.bsky.social · 18h

Thank you, Martha. 💛

Rick Keller @rickkeller.bsky.social · 19h

Thank you, Hibby! 💛

Rick Keller @rickkeller.bsky.social · 19h

Thank you, Robin! 💛

Rick Keller @rickkeller.bsky.social · 19h

Thank you, my friend. 💛

Rick Keller @rickkeller.bsky.social · 19h

Thank you, my friend. 💛

Rick Keller @rickkeller.bsky.social · 20h

My clinical evaluation will be ongoing with the possibility of starting another therapeutic, or enrolling in a new clinical trial, down the road. Hence, my secondary goal in this new stage is to acquire and share additional knowledge with the hope that it helps other families with HPP.

(10/10)

Rick Keller @rickkeller.bsky.social · 20h

Although STRENSIQ replaces the missing enzyme, there is no cure for HPP. My chief concern and rationale for starting this treatment is to improve my bone density enough to reduce my risk for vertebral fractures, which can be physically disabling.

(9/10)

Rick Keller @rickkeller.bsky.social · 20h

Thankfully, I have good commercial health insurance that I’m hoping will cover most, if not all, of the costs. I’ll know more about coverage soon.

(8/10)

Rick Keller @rickkeller.bsky.social · 20h

This drug is manufactured by #Alexion ( #AstraZeneca pharmaceuticals) and dispensed by a specialty pharmacy for the entire US. It’s an exorbitantly expensive drug. Depending on body weight, a year’s supply of STRENSIQ can cost up to $2.5 million.

(7/10)

Rick Keller @rickkeller.bsky.social · 20h

Thankfully, a specific treatment is available for HPP. My Endocrinologist offered a trial of replacement recombinant enzyme, called #STRENSIQ (asfotase alfa), which I’ve enthusiastically accepted.

(6/10)

A vial of a medication.

Rick Keller @rickkeller.bsky.social · 20h

The sole manifestation of my disease is severe unexplained osteoporosis — a major risk factor for vertebral and femur fractures.

(5/10)

Rick Keller @rickkeller.bsky.social · 20h

Thankfully, my specific form of HPP is far less severe than the childhood form of this disease. Overall, I feel fine, normal, supremely active, and healthy.

(4/10)

Rick Keller @rickkeller.bsky.social · 20h

This specific gene mutation for the ALP enzyme has not yet been officially identified as being pathogenic for HPP. Hence, unchartered territory.

(3/10)

Illustration of a mutated segment of DNA.

Rick Keller @rickkeller.bsky.social · 20h

Based on my results, I have a gene mutation (likely inherited from my mother, who also had severe osteoporosis) that causes a deficiency in a key bone enzyme (alkaline phosphatase, ALP) that’s responsible for creating the bone matrix (hydroxyapatite) in the skeleton.

(2/10)

Rick Keller @rickkeller.bsky.social · 20h

⚕️🧵 Hi friends, my lengthy diagnostic evaluation into the cause of my #osteoporosis has reached its conclusion. This week, I met with my Endocrinologist, who confirmed the clinical diagnosis of #hypophosphatasia (HPP) — a rare disorder that causes poor mineralization of the skeleton.

(1/10)

Bone architecture in healthy bone and in bone with osteoporosis.

Rick Keller @rickkeller.bsky.social · 21h

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Rick Keller @rickkeller.bsky.social · 1d

Hi Alon, I didn’t read the article. Nonetheless, The Economist is garbage.

Rick Keller @rickkeller.bsky.social · 2d

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Rick Keller @rickkeller.bsky.social · 2d

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