Dexa score

[ritaannrich]

I am 70 yrs old and recently had a bone scan,and was wondering if someone could tell me what my score means??I just dont understand the charts.

results are Femur -1.8

spine -0.9

Thanks

[Hidden]

Hi Ritaannrich, we have a fact sheet that explains DXA scans that you might find useful

strwebprdmedia.blob.core.wi...

[ritaannrich in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Rosaadmin2

[Met00]

Unless you've had a fragility fracture, if those are t-scores (which compare your bone density to an average 30 year old, where zero is a average, minus scores are below average) you don't have osteoporosis, those are amazing scores for your age! If they're z-scores, they compare with average for your age, but still fall within the normal range.

[ritaannrich in reply to Met00]

These are T scores.Recomendation from dr was to take calcium and vitamin D3.Thanks for replying.I was hoping scores werent to bad.

[HeronNS in reply to ritaannrich]

Most of us elderly people on this forum would be ecstatic to have DXA readings like that! Have a look at my story for some other ways of keeping bone density good, because calcium is not the whole story!

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[ritaannrich in reply to HeronNS]

going to check it out now HeronNS

[Met00 in reply to ritaannrich]

Wow, those really are fantastic scores! You've got the bones of a young person! Just out of interest, have you been taking HRT?

[ritaannrich in reply to Met00]

No I havent ever taken HRT.I have always been pretty active and taken vitamins etc most of the time,and tried to eat right most of the time.I always worry about getting osteoporous because my mom had it,and at 91 she broke her hip and that was the beginning of the end for her.She did take HRT for several yrs.

[Met00 in reply to ritaannrich]

I think HRT has to be for life if you take it for osteoporosis, but may be mistaken. Your Mum lived to a good age, but I know hip fractures are very painful and disabling, so definitely something you'd want to avoid. Apparently most fractures occur as a result of falls, so avoiding falling is actually much more effective than osteoporosis medications at preventing fractures. Unless there's some reason for your bone density appearing better on the scan than it actually is (eg arthritis can do this), then your results suggest you have remarkably good bones for your age and have nothing to worry about! The only proviso I would make to that is that bone density is only one part of the equation, and plenty of people with really poor bone density never fracture, while people with apparently good bone density can still fracture. I would keep up the good diet, supplements and exercise so that you continue to do everything possible to keep your bones healthy.

[MWZ3]

Oh, wow, that is amazing and normal. I would love those results. 1 and under is superb. -1. 8 is still pretty good as that is still well below -2.5 which is just into osteoporosis range. Because you are 70 makes those results even better. Don’t let anyone push drugs onto you. Tell us what you are doing and eating to have such good bones. Do you take vitamins?

[ritaannrich in reply to MWZ3]

Hi.yes I do take a one a day vitamin and Q10 and collagen peptides and magnesium and vit D3.I dont take any prescription drugs except lipotor because of cholostrel, that's the reason I take Q10.Its supposed to be good if you take a statin.

[Bubba3xt]

Hi rita. Your scores are nothing to worry about and it looks like the supplements you take are good.

I would add K2MK7 only because I saw a noticeable improvement in the density of my teeth a month or so after I started taking it. I remembered being pregnant and my teeth looked almost translucent and the doc said, " Baby's robbing you of calcium, but it'll come back after he's born." It did and 40 years later I thought gee my teeth kinda looked the same, K2Mk7 helped. I know it's helping my teeth. I hope it's directing calcium to my bones too. Fingers crossed.

We don't want to let our bone density get too bad, like where you sneeze and break your back, no that's most definitely time to take whatever drugs the doc orders.

I think for most who are lucky enough to know their bones maybe aren't the greatest The very most important thing besides diet and lifestyle is "don't fall". A part of that is easy, like don't go out when it's icy or walk through a dark room. The harder part is exercise but it is absolutely necessary. My sister's doctor told me the first muscle that gets weak with age is our thigh muscle. Then I thought how it was getting difficult to carry groceries up one step without grabbing the railing.. I've been upping the resistance on the recumbent bike my husband bought and I'm not only stronger walking up stairs, but my balance is better doing really little things, like putting on panties when getting dressed,

Pounding exercise tells your body to build more bone, but stronger muscle says "You ain't getting near this bone."

[ritaannrich in reply to Bubba3xt]

Hi Bubba.Yes I know exercise is important.I walked at least a mile every day in the park until winter set in.I am having trouble with walking on the treadmill though now because I really hate it.Its so boring.I am trying though lol.I also use weights for arm exercise,only 8 lb ones though,so I hope thats enough.I wanted to ask what is K2Mk7 ?Thanks for replying

[Bubba3xt]

I know what you mean about exercise getting boring. I have a much easier time with weight bearing exercise in fair weather. I just try to incorporate more physical labor into my day than necessary. I no longer think of the easiest way to do something but rather the hardest , like taking laundry upstairs in three trips instead of one.

As far as vitamin K, I only learned about it's importance reading this forum. There are several posts here explaining what it does and why K2, not K1 and either MK7 or MK4 are the preferred. There isn't enough conclusive research to show that supplements of that make a difference so doctors generally only recommend Vitamin D and possibly calcium. I did talk it over with my doctor and she said it was alright for me to take but some people, especially ones on blood thinners, should not. Like all supplements, talk to your doctor first. All I know is I see a visible improvement in my teeth and I would be happy if my bones stay where they are and thrilled if the density improved. If not, at least I tried my best.