Osteoporosis Helpline
Many people find answers to their questions about osteoporosis quickly and easily using our website, videos and free resources. Our clear, trusted information can help you understand your bone health and feel more confident.
Our Helpline is also here when you, or someone you care for, needs more support. You may want to contact us if:
your situation feels personal or complicated
you want help understanding information for your own circumstances
you have looked at our information and resources but still have questions.
Common questions
Our specialist nurses are here to answer your questions, but you may find the information you need in the topics below first.
Our About osteoporosis and osteopenia pages explain what these conditions are and how they affect your bone health now and in the future.
If you are worried about your risk of osteoporosis, you can use our free Risk checker.
Our Diagnosis and testing pages explain the tests and scans doctors use to check your bone strength. This includes:
These pages can help you understand your results and the words you may hear at appointments.
If you have questions about osteoporosis medicines, visit our Treatment and medicines pages. This includes:
• A–Z of osteoporosis medicines.
These pages explain the different medicines, how they work, the benefits, and possible side effects.
You can also sign up to our free medicine support service, BoneMed Online. It gives you clear information and practical support for your medicine.
Visit our Food and supplements pages for information about:
These pages explain why calcium and vitamin D are important for bone health, when supplements may help, and what to consider when taking them.
If you want to know how to exercise safely with osteoporosis, visit our Exercise hub. You can find information on:
You can also explore our video FAQs, where our Specialist Nurses answer common questions about osteoporosis and bone health.
If you still need help
If you have read the information above and still need support, our Helpline is here for you. You do not need to be a member of the charity to use this service.
Please call us if your situation feels personal, complicated, or hard to manage on your own. Our specialist nurses are here to listen and give clear, trusted support when you need it.
Call our Helpline
0300 102 3030
Monday to Friday, 9am - 12.30pm and 1.30pm - 5pm
Calls to 0300 numbers are usually included in standard landline and mobile phone plans. This means call are free for many people.
If your plan does not include these calls or you have run out of free minutes, the cost will be the same as calling a standard UK landline number starting with 01 or 02.
Free call back option
We understand that, where call charges do apply, call costs can be a worry. If you are worried about the cost of a call, call the Helpline and you will hear an option to request a free callback.
We are here to help, and we would never want cost to stop you from getting in touch.
Email us
You can also email our nurses at nurses@theros.org.uk.
We aim to reply within ten working days.
Accessibility and additional support
We want our Helpline to be easy for everyone to use.
If you have hearing loss, you can contact us using Relay UK.
If English is not your first language, we can arrange an interpreter for phone calls. Please note we cannot reply to emails in languages other than English.
If you need any adjustments to help you use the Helpline, please let us know. We will do our best to support you.
If calling is difficult for you, you may prefer to email us instead.
Calling from outside of the UK
Our information and support are based on the UK health care system, so it may not always apply if you live in another country.
If you are in the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or are an overseas member, you can still use our 0300 102 3030 number.
If you live outside the UK, you may find it more helpful to contact an organisation in your own country for support.
What to expect when you contact us
When you contact our Helpline, you will speak to a specialist nurse with expert knowledge of osteoporosis and bone health.
They can:
listen to your concerns
explain information clearly
help you understand your situation
talk through tests, treatments and next steps.
Before contacting our Helpline, it may help to write down your questions and have something ready to make notes with.
Our nurses cannot replace your GP or healthcare team, and they cannot diagnose medical conditions. They also cannot act as advocates or provide counselling. But they can help you understand information and feel more confident about your options.
If you call, you will usually be able to speak to a nurse during opening hours. You may need to wait at busy times.
The Helpline is closed on bank holidays, during Christmas closures, and occasionally for staff training. We cannot offer booked call appointments.
If you email us, we aim to reply within ten working days.
Our nurses work closely with medical and scientific advisers to make sure the information you receive is accurate and up to date.
Confidentiality and GDPR
Calls are recorded and monitored for training and quality purposes.
If you do not want your call to be recorded, you can choose to continue the call without being recorded.
We also collect data about who uses the Helpline. This helps us improve the service and make sure it reaches the people who need it.
Visit the Your Information page to find out more about how we use your data and read our privacy policy.
If you want to record the call for your own use, please ask the nurse for permission before you start. The information the nurse gives you will be made to suit your personal situation, so please do not share the recording with other people.
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