Help re Doctors appointment after Dexa scan

[Essexgirlbythesea]

Hi all,

I was prescribed AA some years ago but only took it for a while as I really didn’t like the idea of it. A while ago I requested a Dexa scan from my GP as it had been 4 years since I had one and I wanted to check it hadn’t got much worse. I’ve now had a letter asking me to go in next week to discuss the results with him (I haven’t seen them yet) Presumably that means he’s going to want me to take it again.

I’ve (eventually) managed to find my previous results:

2014 AP spine L1-L4 T score of -2.9

2018 AP spine L1-L4 T score of -3.2

2014 Left femur - 2.2

2018 neck of left hip - 1.8

So the results of those two were that the spine had got a bit worse and the hip a bit better. The consultant ended the letter saying the 10 year probability of major fracture was 6% and hip fracture of 0.9%

It may be that it’s got worse since 2018 but I just want to go armed with the correct information and questions as I’m worried he’ll just tell me to take AA again. If I have to I will but I’d rather not.

I’m 61, had menopause in 40’s due to breast cancer. I run twice a week, do Zumba, weight classes, yoga and lots of walking. I take Calcium with D3 and K2 and try to have a healthy diet (could do better!)

Can anyone give me any advice as I find this technical stuff and percentages rather difficult.

Thank you all, Melanie x

[FearFracture]

Hope your numbers are good.

Here are some good resources

Bone Markers s3.amazonaws.com/Food4Healt...

Tests to consider prior to taking osteoporosis medsbetterbones.com/testing/wha...

Healthy Diet pdf strwebprdmedia.blob.core.wi...

My advice is not to take meds before testing for other causes of osteoporosis (see link above) and getting your bone turnover markers tested so you have a baseline.

Until you see your doctor and get your FULL DEXA report, make sure the imaging center gives you the full report not just the summary, there’s no way to know what action you need to take.

Let us know how it goes.

[Hidden in reply to FearFracture]

I take D3 with K2 and Magnesium for better absorption. I've never bothered with those awful chewable AdCal tablets. I take once a week the Risendronate 35mg. Didn't want the Alendronic Acid 70mg.

Anne

[FearFracture in reply to Hidden]

Have you had another DEXA scan since starting osteo-meds? and if yes, have your bone improved?

[Hidden in reply to FearFracture]

No not yet. I was told I didn’t need one till next year. I may pay and get one done privately £112 the last time I asked. Just trying to find my result from last year

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hello again, I've found my results...not particularly good reading. It says: WHO/FRAX percentage 10 year probability based on femoral neck density and clincal risk factors: Major fracture 27% Hip fracture 11%. Of course I am a lot older than yourself. I will be 76 next May 2023.

Bone densitometry DXA 05.11.2020 :

Spine t score: - 3.49 z score - 1.39

Hip t score: - 2.62 z score: -0.96

Fem neck t score: -2.87 z score: -1.23

Then says Please note that the t scores generated by the equipment of one manufacturer are not directly comparable to that of another.

I've been getting cracking noises in my neck for a month or so and hope it hasn't degenerated even further.

Anne

[FearFracture in reply to Hidden]

You do have a few years on me but my t-scores are not as good as yours.

My last DEXA scan was done in July 2021 and showed

Lumbar spine -3.7

Right femoral neck -3.1

Total right hip -3.0

Note, I have no fragility fractures.

In the US, if you are being treated for osteoporosis, your insurance will cover annual DEXA scans, of course, I learned this on my own—my endocrinologist leaves a lot of important information out. I could have had a DEXA in July 2022 but made the decision to wait until November 2022 because I want to give the zoledronic acid infusion I had last November one full year to see if it is actually doing anything. I’m currently searching for an imaging center that can do TBS (trabecular bone scan/score) w/ my DEXA—I’m expecting a call back from an imaging center I reached out to last week sometime this week—it would mean a 4 hour drive but the drive is worth getting useful information regarding bone quality.

[Hidden in reply to FearFracture]

Morning, So you live in the US. I'm in UK. We're so lucky having our wonderful NHS and don't have to pay insurance to cover our health. But, in the future who knows. Diabetics costs billions, plus any other long term health issues. We're all living longer thanks to the drugs many of us now have to take, which in turn is costing the NHS such a lot. I can see in the future we too will have to pay, but maybe not in my lifetime.

I hope you get yourself sorted.

Anne

[HeronNS]

Look at your fracture risk. What they are saying is your chances of NOT having a fracture are: major fracture 94% and hip facture 99.1%. I bet your chances of having those kinds of fractures are probably higher in the normal course of life. If these figures are accurate, why would medication even be recommended in this situation?

Agree that if not done yet "secondary causes of osteoporosis" need to be tested for.

osteoporosis.ca/medical-con...

And for ideas about other things you can do to help improve bone density you might find my story interesting:

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...