Can anyone here help me interpret my Dexa scores here please?
see attached August 2018 and August 2022 results.
in 2018 I already had one hip replacement, so they scanned the other, then in Dec 2018 I had the second hip replaced, so in 2022 they used my forearm for the first time, which shows perosis.
shoot, having technical difficulties with attachments, here are all 3 pages, 2018 and 2022 scores.
Your spine score has got a little worse, but that's normal as we all lose bone density as we age. It's only osteopenia. Your hip scores were normal but may not be reliable as I guess you had osteoarthritis if you went on to have hip replacements. That may make bone density seem better than it is. The arm is harder to measure accurately, but can sometimes be a sign of hyperparathyroidism (where too much parathyroid hormone is produced, which then keeps too much calcium in the blood do that the bones lose out). I would definitely ask your GP to check parathyroid, calcium and vitamin D in the same blood draw, as they all interact. NB parathyroid isn't the same as thyroid.
Good advice as usual met00 about getting hyperparathyroidism ruled out
If you ask for a parathyroid (PTH) blood test, don’t let your dr. do what mine did and draw the blood right when you ask for it, that is supposed to be a fasting blood test. Also, I’ve recently read that unless instructed otherwise it’s best to do all bloodwork fasting.
I’d like those tscores. They are is the osteopenia range. You can walk, have a good diet, and take vitamin K2 to improve them. Check your calcium and vitamin d levels in your blood tests. Yoghurt, oranges, leafy greens, avocados, overall good diet along with some weight bearing exercises should bring you back to under -1 or around there which is normal. Whilst your results are this good is when you can pull it up. Good luck.
Met00 is right - what jumped out at me with the forearm reading was the definite possibility of hyperparathyroidism. You would be wise to have a blood test for this as soon as possible.
It's what I saw first. Have you and Met00 suffered from hyperparathyroidism?
I had a parathyroidectomy two years ago.
Have you had a dexa scan since and was there any improvement? It'd my biggest fear there not being any improvement when I have my dexa later this month.....
I had a REMS scan last week. I cannot have an accurate DEXA as I have scoliosis. The REMS showed very little change from my original pre parathyroidectomy DEXA (however accurate that was) which was encouraging as I have to take lansoprazole daily. My GP has put me on HRT which helps and I take all the supplements, walk and use vibration plates daily. I am to have another REMS in a year to check progress.
Good luck with your DEXA. 🤞
At least there hasn't been any further deterioration. You'll get a better idea when you have the repeat REMS
I brought up the scoliosis thing with my dr today. If scoliosis is only mild then it does not affect the result. Everyone has scoliosis when old.
With scoliosis the x ray cannot capture enough vertebra to give a truly accurate result.
I would seriously question the statement that ‘all old people’ have scoliosis.
I think we do to a degree. It is a part of aging like arthritis. My scoliosis is mild so it would not affect the score. Other things do of course. I also got my dr to look at the X-rays and see if there is 30% bone loss. I have bone on bone so it was not clear. What % does -5 have for example as that’s where my fracture is.
I am very confused about my Dexa scan results too!Last December after months of back pain I had a Dexa scan and xrays on my back which showed 7 spinal compression fractures.
Eventually I was told my Dexa result was 4.5.
At this point I was also told my calcium level was 3.1 it has reduced to 2.8.
I have just had bloods and urine tests and this week I'm having an ultrasound on my hyperparathyroid.(I've had a bone scan on my arm, don't know the result)
When the endocrinologist has all my results she will let me know the best way forward.
I am extremely reluctant to have surgery on this gland. I'm 78 and my husband of 84 has memory problems.
We have no family nearby and all our friends and relatives are around our age.
I have had the alondronic acid infusion and return to Bone Health next month with more questions.
I was virtually told to do nothing, no bending, lifting, stretching, gardening but how can I live like that?
I do most things more carefully and slowly and I'm able to pay someone to do the heavier work.
Not everyone can do this and I'm amazed at the lack of support and information from the hospital
I have joined the Royal Oateoporis society but can never get through to them on the phone!
Any comments would be really helpful please !!!
To get a cure you need surgery. It will give you back some quality of life. You are still relatively young and your husband will benefit from you being well again. It's usually just an overnight stay. Have a look at hyperparathyroiduk.com
Thanks for your reply.I don't feel ill at all! I have two friends who had the op, both felt tired, unwell weight loss etc.
I have none of these which makes me so against surgery!
I had cancer 5 years ago and had chemoradiation but was obviously much younger then and my husband more supportive.
Will have to see what my results suggest!
Cancer treatment can cause high calcium....with hyperparathyroidism though, you may not feel ill at first but eventually it will drag you down as t1gernidster says medication won't really help infact alendronates with hyperparathyroidism could do more damage..........have a look at the website I posted previously, you'll find lots of good info
Medication will do you no good and may even be counterproductive. You absolutely must have a parathyroidectomy. parathyroid.com/
Dont you have home help there. I’m in Australia and we can apply for a home care package which covers gardening, housework, meals, basically anything you need help with.
Second DEXA Scan Results
lowered my dexa scores! 
Huge difference between DEXA and REMS
>1.0 DIFFERENCE BETWEEN T-SCORES HIP & SPINE ON DEXA?
Dexa results
