DEXA scan results

[Lopera]

I had a dexa scan in mid October and they said the results would take 4 to 6 weeks. In the meantime I saw a spinal dr after having an MRI privately which showed 6 compression fractures. I hadn't had my dexa scan result but he appeared to have access to it on his screen and said the score was -2.5.

This sounded low bearing in mind the fractures. A couple of days ago, I rang to chase up the result and the lady said, 'Oh we didn't know about the fractures, I will have to adjust your scores'.

I'm hoping the result will be available this week but and I am very confused. It sounds so arbitrary. Does anyone have any knowledge about how the scores are actually determined?

[Met00]

The score you quote, -2.5, is likely to be a t-score, which estimates the amount of bone loss you've had since peak bone density at around age 30. "Osteoporosis" is diagnosed when a t-score is -2.5 or worse, so that would put you just on the cusp of osteoporosis. However, the DEXA scan gives more than one score - you should have an average spine score, plus individual scores for L1, L2, L3 and L4 vertebrae, a total hip score and a neck of femur score. All of these only give part of the picture and are an unreliable way of estimating fracture risk, as it's common for people with osteopenia (bone loss that hasn't reached osteoporosis) or sometimes even normal bone density to suffer fragility fractures. So they also calculate your fracture risk using a tool called FRAX (eg 10% risk of fracture in the next 10 years). FRAX takes into account other factors that might increase your risk of fracture, including previous fragility fractures, so it will be that score that they need to adjust, not the -2.5 t-score.

[Lopera in reply to Met00]

Hi Met00

I wouldn't have thought I was on the cusp of osteoporosis when I've suffered 6 compression fractures but well in. That is my confusion. Well I should find out this week. Thanks for replying.

[Met00 in reply to Lopera]

That's exactly my point about DEXA scans being an unreliable way of diagnosing osteoporosis!

[Lopera in reply to Met00]

Yes, I agree, it seems completely arbitrary.

[love42france]

I had my DEXA scan in the same clinic I get my X-Rays, waited 2 weeks for an appointment. The scan was done and the machine printed out the results next to the bench I had the scan on. I saw the print and then the technician explained the results l. I was given the full results to take to my doctor. I asked the doctor for a letter for a Rheumatologist and she has prescribed my drugs etc. He also took me off some prescribed painkillers but said there was no proof low dosage PPI’s did any damage to the bones. I have done my own research since and I agree with her.

[Lopera in reply to love42france]

Looks like I'm not in the best health authority! I'm also still waiting for an appointment at the osteoporosis clinic to look at OP drugs.

[DemBones2024 in reply to love42france]

I think the PPIs stop you absorbing food and supplements properly as causes less stomach acid. So it is a perfect storm if you are taking something like steroids (strip the bone) and PPIs fo a long period of time. I often wonder if the NHS is trying to kill us!

[Tommylover]

That’s a long time to wait I got my results next day . I was -2.5 also . Don’t know how they work out score this result means you’ve got osteoporosis but there are people with a lot worse scores .

[Lopera in reply to Tommylover]

I know that -2.5 means I have osteoporosis but there are people with a lot worse scores who don't have any compression fractures. I have six.

[Tommylover in reply to Lopera]

I’ve no idea if I have any did you have pain ? I know that’s a silly question but I have read that sometimes you don’t know you have them .

[Lopera in reply to Tommylover]

Yes, but the GP sent me for physio and then osteopathy so I never found out until a private MRI. I think the pain lasted about 3 months.

[Lopera in reply to Tommylover]

Actually it's -2.8, a number they arrived at after learning I have 6 fractures not 3.