What is a dexa test ??

[stefgilbert]

[puddleduck]

It is a bone scan to basically see how strong your bones are, most hospitals can do it, as its just the same as an xray, from the scan your doc will be able to see how strong or weak your bones are. Seemenly taking some of the steroids on their own can cause your bones to loose their density thus making your bones weaker, but you can take another medication with your steroid to stop any steroid user causing damage to their bones sorry i do not know the name of the meds but there was some info back in 2011 on this site with the name of what meds you have to have with steroids to stop the bone damage. Hope this info helps

jane

[puddleduck in reply to puddleduck]

sorry not 2011 it was 2012, i keep forgetting we are in another year now,

[janiceray]

I thinks its Calcichew-D3 forte that's what given for bones !!!

But don't take my word for it,but that's what i am on.

[ebril]

I've just had one done you just lie down and they scan you it's like and X-ray of your bones to check for oesteoperosis (thinking of the bones) it only takes a couple of minutes to do

[smkelly]

Yeah the meds are a calcium and vitamin D supplement (calchichew, adcal D3)but if the dexa identifies you have a problem with your bones i.e osteoporosis you can be given a bone building drug called a bisphosphonate (alendronic acid, alendronate)

[Karula]

Hi stefgilbert & everyone

A DEXA scan is a Dual Energy Xray Absorptiometry scan, it has minimal xray so it is not the same dose of radiation as having an xray. It measures your Bone Mineral Density with your age related BMD against a younger healthy mean population. This is done by T & Z scores. There are three groups in scanning, Normal, Osteopenic & Osteoporotic. The general rule is if you are on steroids and have a T score of -1.5 or less, you will be commenced on a Bisphosphonate, generally Alendronic acid although Risedronate is preferred for the younger generation. Supplemental calcium & Vit D is often prescribed as well but sometimes if you have a healthy dietary intake of calcium and vitamin D it may not be prescribed.

Bisphosphonates are anti-resorptive drugs that slow down the process of bone loss and help to strengthen bones.

If you are taking steroids you should have a DEXA scan every two years and bisphosphonates should be reviewed after five years of treatment.

Hope this helps.