Hi there, do you have a copy of the DEXA report? You are entitled to a copy, just ask a receptionist at your surgery and they should be able to print it out for you. What were your results?
I had a chat with my gp and we agreed that I take in enough calcium through diet so I am only prescribed Vit D now. It is a good idea to have your Vitamin D levels checked as well. Ideally twice a year, in the summer and winter months as we do not store Vitamin D.
I'm going to call the surgery tomorrow to ask for a printout and also vit d blood test.
Don't think my GP will be very happy that I'm not taking meds and I think I'm regarded as a difficult patient as I have questioned everything since breast surgery and asked for a second opinion.
If they refuse to do vit D test twice a year can I have this done privately?.
If you have a problem with your doctor allowing you to have a vitamin Blood test on the NHS then the past thread below will give you details of how you can have this done. You will need to scroll down quite a few of the postings to find the reply(s) from LynneH-19 who pays to have her vitamin D tested as her doctor is unapproachable with this request from her healthunlocked.com/boneheal... Hope that helps.
In the end it is your decision and the doctor should not be pressuring you, but unfortunately some do this. I cannot comment as I have no idea of your t or z scores.
Does this make it easier to understand your dexa report?
The DEXA scan gives you a number called a T-score. Your T-score represents how your bone density compares with that of a woman at peak bone density. Doctors use the following guidelines to interpret your results:
If your T-score is minus 1 or greater: Your bone density is considered normal.
If your T-score is between minus 1 and minus 2.5: You have low bone density, known as osteopenia, but you don’t have osteoporosis.
If your T-score is minus 2.5 or less: You have osteoporosis.
People diagnosed with OP do not suddenly start having falls. It is good if you never fall. I am fully aware that my balance is not so good so I can fall or trip every now and again. If I do fall, so far I have not fractured anything, thank goodness.
Why not give the nurses a call at the NOS helpline and have a chat with them about your dexa report and your fears. I have not called them but those that do praise them.
Call 0808 800 0035 - free from all UK landlines, mobiles and call boxes
You are perfectly entitled to request a copy of your DEXA scan results as with blood test results too. It is good to file them away for comparisons if/when you have tests redone. Good for you to question everything. Hold you head up high. Knowledge is power. After all it is your body so why shouldn't you show a great interest. You are not being difficult, you are being sensible.
I am so pleased that you called the helpline. I hope you feel more in control now, if you know what I mean. It is good to know they are always there to offer advice/listen and this forum too. I wish you a great weekend. {{hugs}}
So pleased to hear that you now have a plan. Do remember that as we age we do not always absorb Vitamin D via sunlight as easily as when we were younger, although I have a feeling you are younger than me, if you are still working. If you can get your Vitamin D levels checked ideally twice a year in the summer and the winter months you will be able to check how you are doing. Do keep in touch. You know where we are!
I am 69 at the end of this year. I have lost just over 5 inches in height. I had a dexa in 2012 when I had only lost 3 - 4 inches and was diagnosed with op. My spine is in a sorry state so dexa readings of my spine are not at all reliable, so the last scan in August 2018 had to be taken from my hips and thigh? There I no longer have osteoporosis...I have bad joints and have had two knee replacements, and a revision total knee replacement, a cervical vertebrectomy, a total shoulder replacement and am now doing physio for a revision total shoulder replacement for the same shoulder performed in October last year. I keep as active as I can! There is nothing much that I would like to do, other that what I do now, except keep upright, keep walking and not to fall, which I do, every so often!
I took Protelos, strontium ranelate and had no problems that I know of, with it. It was withdrawn last August so after my supplies finished, that was that! It is back again now as from last month. I wait to see what my latest blood tests are and the result of 5 x rays taken of my spine, a few weeks back and see what the consultant suggests I do. I took AA for a few weeks but it did not agree with me. I should give his secretary a call to remind him about my x-rays and blood test results.
I have a strong feeling that is was scaremongering regarding cardio vascular risks, strokes, etc and so it was not being suggested as an alternative by the doctors/if offered, patients did not wish to take SR because of the risks. Consequently, in the end, it was no longer a money maker for the pharma who produced it. My consultant firstly issued me with a blood pressure monitor to wear for 48 hours and as the readings were ok , he prescribed this drug for me. It was the only OP drug that I was willing to take. I had tried AA and risedronate previously.
I feel for you! I am doing a lot of research on this at the moment and will continue to do so before I finally make up my mind on the issue but from what I have read so far, whether you take it as a supplement or up your calcium intake through food, you need to take Vitamin D3 and Magnesium with it. These two trace elements help the uptake of calcium to the bone and help to remove it from the organs, like the kidneys, where it shouldn't be. My reading leads me to understand that it is a lack of Vitamin D3 and Magnesium that is the most likely cause of osteoporosis because, without these two elements, calcium is leached into our bloodstream and organs rather than staying put in our bones. Vitamin K2 has also been cited as important, though from what I can gather, it best to get this through food, rather than a supplement. It is abundant in chlorella, a super green, which can be found in powder form in health shops and supermarkets (Sainsbury's and Tesco's sell it). I have also joined the gym and have got some great advice from a female personal trainer there, who has given me a great routine for weight-bearing exercises. I will also be doing Pilates, yoga and swimming. I am due to take my second dose of alendronic acid, tomorrow but I have had some really bad side effects, this week and I am very reluctant. I'm looking into ways to minimise my risk of hip fracture - there are some protective 'belts' that you can get from Amazon and other places. I'm not sure yet but I will need some convincing before I take that second pill! Good luck with it all!
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