I recieved a letter from the hospital detailing a 12% risk following a DXA scan which I thought sounded low risk but the GP told me I have osteoporosis via a telephone call. I've booked a face to face appointment in a few week's time. I was sent for the scan after 2 falls and ankle fractures and then fell again but no fracture. I have been prescribed Alendronic Acid, vit D3 and calcium I have not started the AA as I wanted more information before deciding to take it. I have been taking D3 for about 3 years and my level is good, along with magnesium and K2-MK7, vitamin C and a good B complex. I have been eating prunes for about 6 months as only just found out they may be good for bones, also taking some zinc.
How is osteoporosis defined in diagnosis, obviously something showed up in the DXA scan but what do I need to find out at my appointment or before?
I started an exercise program about a year ago so do I need to modify it? If so, can you suggest any good YouTube or other places I can get advice?
A bit confused at the moment and not sure what this will mean for life, work and the future. Good advice or reassurance welcomed.
, but it is really comfortable and I love it. 
Newly diagnosed and worried about treatment 
Newly Diagnosed and So Scared
Newly Diagnosed
Just diagnosed with osteoporosis in my hip
Need Advice on Prolia vs Natural Osteoporosis Treatments
Just read this and I am wondering if your hospital letter had any more details with it. Do you have any graphs with T scores? If you could tell me a bit more I may be able to help. I used to be a radiographer and did DEXA scanning. What I can tell you is that the hospital report will have been done by a specialist reporting radiographer or radiologist. GP’s often do not understand the data and often misread osteopaenia for osteoporosis. This is a specialised area and I would be reassured by the hospital letter.
Thank you for your reply. I understand my GP followed up the outcome with the consultant to get a clearer picture as the report was unclear. I'm not sure if the letter I've recieved is the same as the report the GP has recieved.
The letter just says the patient has a 10 year probability risk of a major osteoporotic fracture of 12% and of a hip fracture 2.2% and verbally the doctor said osteoporosis confirmed in L3.
Is osteoporosis reversible and is this a bad outcome or is there hope for recovery?
P.S. no graphs or other information. Do I need to get hold of another report from GP or hospital?
Hi I asked about graphs as our unit sent them out as part of the letter and it caused confusion as the GP’s often didn’t understand the information. Osteoporosis cannot be reversed but treatment with calcium and Vitamin D or more heavy duty meds like Fosamax or Alendronate can halt bone thinning. It sounds like your risk is statistically fairly low but you have had previous fractures and if there is evidence of lower bone density in one vertebra treatment is a good call by the GP to give medication to stop any further bone loss. It sounds like you are doing all you can with diet and exercise. A little high impact exercise may help like dancing or brisk walking. A good calcium rich diet will also help with good intake of dairy. Lots of information is available from the Osteoporosis society.
People of all ages can have osteopaenia/osteoporosis as it can be genetic as well as presenting as we get older. It is reassuring that your fractures have triggered some preventative treatment which is usually very effective. I hope you are reassured .
Thank you for your positive response DJR1. I eat a reasonable amount of dairy produce and will continue to do so. I am going to increase my walking from now on and use the gym treadmill when the weather is bad. Also wondering whether joining he local table tennis club might be a help as it's an on the feet exercise and can be quite vigorous if you get competitive! I'd like to dance but there's nothing here that matches my timings.
Hi Nanaedake
You are entitled to your DEXA scan report and you can ask the receptionist at the surgery to print a copy off for you. It should state your T scores not just the calculation of your 10 year probability of fracture risk on FRAX. You seem to have had a few falls. Perhaps this should be addressed. What do you think?
You are entitled to a Vitamin D blood test to check your levels if diagnosed with OP.
You have been prescribed what all GPs give to their patients in the first instance. I asked to be referred to an OP specialist and see a doctor in the endocrinology department of my local hospital. I am happy with this arrangement.
Yes falls prevention is an important area. The University of Manchester did quite a lot of work on this. One of the leading causes of falls in the home was badly fitting footwear particularly slippers. Dangers from loose rugs, legs on furniture etc. If might be worth exploring if there are medical reasons for falls too.
Thank you Kaarina for all that information. I will ask reception for a copy of the DEXA scan report. I didn't realise that there was another report other than the letter I recieved. It might help me re-plan my exercise routine.
I got my own Vitamin D blood test done before I knew about the osteoporosis and then started supplementing with my own vitamin D3 about 4 years ago but my GP has now done a test and my vitamin D was 110nmol. I've now been prescribed a maintenance dose of D3 and calcium so I'm taking that.
Our local endocrinology dept is about as much use as a pocket handkerchief. I saw an Endo who said he didn't know why I'd been referred. Well, I didn't ask to be referred, I was referred by a consultant. The Endo just dismissed me.
I think falling does need to be addressed and I insisted on physiotherapy after the last fall as nothing was offered after my first 2 fractures. I asked about a DEXA scan as I have risk factors. One hospital doctor laughed at me, the other said it wasn't necessary and one grumbled to ask my GP. It wasn't until I saw a new GP that I was sent for the DEXA scan, thankfully.
I think it's a good idea to see an Osteoporosis specialist and I'll discuss that with my GP.
I'm doing exercises the physio gave me and also yoga twice a week, swim once a week and go the gym once a week. But now think I need to do more weight bearing exercise as DJR1 suggests.
Hi Nanaedake,
Any exercise is better than none but weight bearing appears to be the way to go. I walk every day, I wish I could say it is a brisk walk but it is not particularly and as I have a tendency to fall or have had in the past, I know my limitations and if I went any faster I would more than likely fall and as that is exactly the opposite of what I want to do, I go at a pace that suits me. Some days I feel I can walk faster than other days. We also have to find the exercise we do enjoyable, that is important, at least to me it is. I do a little tai chi at home most days and enjoy this. I used to attend a class and unfortunately it closed and I have not been able to find one quite like it. Two years ago I joined a walking group run by the council and there is a choice of the long/short walk. I do the latter and find this enjoyable and one morning a week is set by for this. I walk to the venue where we meet and also do a circular walk of the park beforehand so get a good step count that day, for sure. We go to the cafe after too which is nice. Optional of course.
Kaarina, I hope is not too personal, but why did you ask to be referred to an endocrinologist? Also, would you advise any newly diagnosed to see an OP specialist, even if they do not want to take medications yet?
Hi Marziano,
I did not ask to be referred to an endocrinologist. I asked my GP if he would refer me to someone specialising in osteoporosis soon after I received my DEXA report and he referred me to the endocrinology department at our local hospital. The doctor I see there twice a year was actually the person who prepared the report of my DEXA in 2015. I found this most interesting to hear. I look forward to my appointments with him and find them beneficial.
I did want to continue to take medication which was strontium ranelate when I asked to be referred although on my report it said I could discontinue taking it and my GP stopped my prescription. After chatting to the doctor at the hospital he agreed I should continue with this medication. SR was withdrawn last August and the doctor suggested I start on Prolia. When I next saw him I said I had decided not to take it because of the possible side effect of joint pain which I have daily anyway due to osteoarthritis. He agreed with me and also told me that on stopping Prolia after 2-3 years there was the possibility of rebound Vertebral fractures. I now see him although I am not taking any OP medication.
I am seeing a rheumatologist next week, for other reasons. I think they too deal with osteoporosis but I think they believe in treating everything aggressively and I am not ready to start any medications at this point.
I have had four Prolia injections at the recommendation of an endocrinologist...After reading a number of forums and finding out about the horrible side effects I have decided to stop the injections.She didn't try to persuade me to carry on...which says a lot.She has put me on Alenondrate but I am loathe to start it ...I will have to though,to prevent those fractured vertebrae we are threatened with when we stop Prolia..A very knowledgeable chemist I Manchester told me to eat right prunes a day,which I am doing.He also said vitamin K2 is absolutely ESSENTIAL when taking vitamin D...Spinach..kefir and almonds have also become a part of my daily diet..A friend raised her DEXA results by rating two egg whites a day.....I only like them with the yolk so I am eating six eggs a week....Not much time for anything else after all that!!So glad we can share our experiences on here..Good luck to everyone and let's hope we will get som responsible help soon.x