My father (64) had a bone density scan a few days ago.
The results are
- Neck t score : -1.3
- Spine t score: - 1.3
- Hip t score: -1.3
- 33% radius (left forearm) t score : - 4.5
The diagnosis on the report is 'Osteoporosis'.
My father broke his left forearm about 30 years ago and he always complained about it not being reset properly.
I was wondering why only one of the t scores shows osteoporosis, and the others osteopenia? Can what happened to his left forearm years ago be the culprit?
Thank you so very much
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Sharam
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I imagine your father's poor arm score is because that site is much harder to measure accurately. However, I have read that a poor forearm score can be an indication of hyperparathyroidism, so I would recommend that he ask to have his parathyroid levels tested (not the same as thyroid), at the same time as Vitamin D and calcium, as they all interact with each other. This is one of a number of tests that should be done when osteoporosis is diagnosed, but unfortunately many doctors aren't aware of this.
What medicine did he prescribed? If it was a med to treat osteoporosis wait until you see someone who generally treats osteoporosis (endocrinologist or rheumatologist) before taking it. If he does have a parathyroid gland issue some osteo-meds can skew PTH test results.
Since your father’s arm has bothered him for 30 yrs, he probably avoided using it to some degree which could cause a slightly lower BMD or t-score, ex. tennis players usually have higher BMD in their dominant hand/arm, but -1.3 to -4.5 is a huge gap. I don’t mean to be an alarmist but I’ve read/heard that if just one area has significant bone loss it can be a sign of cancer, so definitely see a specialist who can run more tests.
If you go to my bio there are 3 links you can cut and paste into your browser to access helpful information. One of the links is to a list of tests for secondary causes.
Hi Sharam. I am a lot younger than your father and have osteopenia in my hips and mild osteoporosis - my osteopenia scores and the range I see on my reports would confirm the three lower scores are osteopenia but please do talk to a medic - I do not hold a degree in medicine. To the large discrepancy in score with the arm - again, I am only relating what happened to me recently but I had a few running injuries in the three years between DEXA scans - all on the right foot or hams/knee. My most recent scores showed a difference between my right and left side. Not a wildly dramatic difference but my specialist was surprised. When we discussed it, we agreed that, whilst recovering, and probably subconsciously in the build back up, I was probably taking all effort and force etc in daily and sporting activities on my left side. Please do talk to a specialist, though. I am in the Netherlands. Good luck!
My specialist is based in endocrinology and the group specializes in bone research & issues. I lived in England until 2014 but I can't remember how much power you have in describing the treatment plan you want. I recommend coming back here to get feedback on any drugs that might prescribe your father & read clinical trial publications for the stats on effectiveness & rates of side effects. I went with stats & facts & it spared me from being put on the first line (and totally inappropriate for my age & circumstances) drug.
When I broke my wrist some years ago I was sent for a dexa scan which indicated mild osteoporosis in my hip and spine as expected. However, at that time my GP noticed calcium in my bloodstream and referred me to an endocrinologist to check for hyperparathyroidism. He sent me for a DEXA on the wrist and it was -4.5. I was then referred for a Sestamibi scan which confirmed the diagnosis of hyperparathyroidism and I the offending gland was subsequently surgically removed.
Hello, sorry to hear of your Dad's diagnosis. Take heart though his overall bone density appears good, just his forearm. The fracture years ago could have been the reason for his current situation, as often fractures do have an affect on all bone.
I've attached a very comprehensive article on fractures. A great read, easy to follow with videos too.
They probably should have scanned both forearms since he had a fracture in the left. Before I would check with the doctor why they gave him the Osteoporosis diagnosis when all the other T-scores indicate 0stopenia. Maybe because the forearm score was so high.
Im with met00 your dad needs to be checked for hypercalcemia and hyperparathyroidism as this leads to osteoporosis especially when founfounfound in the forearm
I don't have anything to add on the low forearm score, but just wanted to say that 'neck' is almost certainly 'femoral neck', which is part of the hip. Just useful to know if you didn't already! Good luck with you dad.
Saw your post only now, I too have very low score in my left forearm, but Radius UD, not Radius 33%. I've been at -4.9 at lowest reading (I've had 3 scans so far, both forearms), now at -4.6
Did your father get to the root of it?
I too had a wrist fracture already, but in right wrist. Done a lot of hand therapy and exercising to recover.
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