Any Help and advice on my dexa results please 🙏

[Chillitea]

I was diagnosed with osteoporosis in January 2023 after having my first dexa scan. My results were spine -3 and left hip -2.5. I have just had my second dexa 2025 and my results are: spine-4 and hip -3. I will be 65 this year and went into post menopause when I was 41 years after a subtotal hysterectomy. I would really appreciate any help and advice please 🙏

[Met00]

Was the scan done on the same DEXA machine? That seems quite a big loss in two years. Have you had blood tests for underlying causes? If the bone loss is caused by something like coeliac disease or hyperparathyroidism, you need treatment for those to bring the bone loss under control.

[Chillitea in reply to Met00]

Morning Met00, The first one was done on the old type dexa machine and the second one on the new dexa scan machine. I was also told u had lost 2" from my height and I was 5'4" but I have always been this height ?Thank you for your reply...Linda

[Met00 in reply to Chillitea]

In that case you can't compare the results of the two scans. The problem then is, which one is correct, because it's unlikely that you've lost that much bone density in two years. If you're able to afford it, would you consider having a REMS bone scan, a modern technology that's less open to error due to being more fully automated? There are a few new clinics now offering this, although I don't know what training they've had. If you want someone who has massive experience and all the relevant training, I can recommend Osteoscan UK Ltd (osteoscanuk.com/). They're based near Daventry, but also hold clinics around the country.

[Chillitea in reply to Met00]

Hi, I thought that too. I have never heard of a Rems ? I will look into this.Thank you so much....

[Chillitea in reply to Met00]

I will have a look at Rems, I have another problem as I fell on my right hip September 2024 and only just got my results. Mri 11.12.24, results 12.02.2025, ... IT band , Trochanteric Bursa, gluteous tendapathy, and small undisplaced fracture on iliac crest.....waiting for physio therapy appointment........worried 😢

[ABwn in reply to Met00]

Unfortunately the link doesn't work. Says it's not safe!!

[Met00 in reply to ABwn]

I'm not sure why that didn't work, but try this: osteoscanuk.com/. I'll update my original post too.

[ABwn in reply to Met00]

Thanks Met00 - this works! 🥰

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to Chillitea]

Whenever I’ve had my height measured I have been told to leave my shoes on. Considering the thickness of the soles of my shoes varies greatly I have no confidence in their measurements.

If you haven’t lost height and your clothes haven’t suddenly become too long for you then it might be worth thinking of ‘user error’ by the person who measured your height.

I can definitely recommend OsteoScan - especially with Dr Nick - if you can manage to get one, expensive but worth it.

[Chillitea in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Hi, yes I think you are right about height measurements!!!thank you....

[Chillitea in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Just going to look into osteoscan...thank you

[Olliemaya]

I have also booked a osteoscan for October this year as I have read so many positive comments on it. I also have a -4 reading for my spine and I am not on any medication. I will see what my results are with the osteoscan with moving forward. Yeh a wee bit expensive but definitely will be money well spent

[questionably]

Chillitea, while you can't have any trust after the 2 inch height loss, your prior dxa should have secured a recommendation for osteoporosis medication. Have you been advised to take an anabolic? Have you been on hormone replacement?

[Jennyjenny2 in reply to questionably]

Sorry to butt in here, but what is an anabolic please?

[questionably in reply to Jennyjenny2]

jennyjenny2,

Tymlos and Terrosa are the true anabolics meaning that they build bone. They work by enhancing the normal process of taking out damaged bone and replacing it with new bone. The other medications are all in part antiresorptive meaning that they (in part) slow down the removal of fissured bone and increase bone mineral density by collecting that older bone.

It is usual if any part of the dxa is less than -2.5 to be advised to take either one of these anabolics.

The bisphosphonates are almost completely antiresorptive.

Prolia is more antiresorptive the the bisphosphonates, but also lays down new bone almost like a scaffold over the damaged bone.

Evenity, the latest osteoporosis, preserves fissured bone and models bone.

Remodeled bone requires the cells that are attracted to and break down bone that is damaged. These cells are called osteoclasts. Until twenty years ago the only medication we had to stop the bone loss were the bisphosphonates. They prevent the attachment of osteoclasts; damaged bone is better than no bone.

Then came teriparatide (Forteo) generic Terrosa. Except that the manufacturer quit making Terrosa so there are two generics that are now being prescribed.

If all of your dxa numbers are greater than -2.5, it is usual to be prescribed a form of the antiresorptives AA, Reclast etc. because our governments and our insurance companies don't like the cost of the anabolics.

Sometimes my expression is unclear. And sometimes I go on too long. Your questions are welcome

[Met00 in reply to questionably]

Here in the UK any recommendation for osteoporosis medication is basic on a FRAX fracture risk score, rather than solely on t-scores. It's also usual to prescribe Alendronic Acid first.

[Chillitea in reply to questionably]

Morning, no I have not been offered anything at the moment. I'm just waiting for an appointment for physio therapy on my hip after a fall I had in September last year. I will have a read up on this.Thank you so much.

Everything helps. X

[Chillitea in reply to questionably]

Morning, I have not been offered anything at the moment. I am just waiting for physio appointment, I fel in September 2024, and had a mri on 11.12.24, just had results 12.2.25, small undisplaced iliac crest fracture, it band and something else muscle. Thank you so much for your reply. Kind wishes....

[Scampmummy]

hi, I’m a 74 year old lady who has -2.7 right hip on Dexa scan in November 2024. I was put on Risedronate- 1 weekly. I didn’t start taking it until January this year as side effects sound bad.

I too had a total hysterectomy with everything taken away when I was in my 50’s due to heavy bleeding. I didn’t go on HRT.

I also had part of my thyroid removed when I was in my 20’s due to hyperthyroidism, resulting in too much being removed and tablets for life.

I also had mastectomy when I was 62 which was also hormone related resulting in hormone tablets

I asked my GP if this had caused my osteoporosis and he said yes.

[Chillitea]

Yes I think my hysterectomy caused mine osteoporosis too , I also did not take hrt.Sorry to hear about your other health problems. Hope you are feeling better now. Take care x

[PoppyPaddler in reply to Chillitea]

I too would say if poss have REMS scan, its definitely worth it. The quickest way I could have one was to travel up from Cornwall to the Osteoscan base (in the middle of all the January storms) and stay a night either side of the appt. I have also booked for a local one for 2026 as a follow up. The podcasts on the website are very informative.

[ROSModerator Partner]

Hi Chillitea ,

We just wanted to pop in to wish you a very warm welcome to our community

It's great to see you're already connecting with our wonderful members here! In case you haven't already checked out our website, we do have lots of information and support for bone health and osteoporosis, including information about scan results: theros.org.uk/information-a...

Hope this might feel helpful at this time

Wishing you all the best,

Lulu

ROS Moderator