Can Dexa Scan T-score exceed a score of -4.0

[OscarWilde]

Is it possible to have a DXA T-score of (-)4.6 and if so would the patient be able to stand up?

[Met00]

I heard of someone who had a score of -6.0, but no fractures! The score on its own doesn't necessarily tell you your bone strength.

[Mark_ABH]

I recently interviewed a patient who had T-score of -4.9; she had several vertebral fractures over a few months. There are other factors that account for whether your bones will break, independent of your T-score. People who are "small-boned," thin or petite will have lower T-scores because of how DXA analyzes a two-dimensional image. A low T-score also doesn't mean you are losing a lot of bone; some people don't develop peak standard bone mass in the first place.

[DeeK1]

I have a score of -4.5 of the spine. I run five miles - four days a week, lift heavy weights, and use a spinning bike. I fell hard running two years - tumbling - only broke two bones in one hand - from using my hands to brace the fall down. Bloody knees - and hand healed with a brace in less then six weeks. Someone with fragile bones would have broken both their wrist - and maybe a leg bone. I am small boned - and don’t believe the Dexa score represents small boned women well. I may be deceiving myself, but I believe the strength of bones and the muscles around them mean more then a generic one size fits all dxa score. After the Dexa score scare a year ago I started taking D3 - 2000 iu, centrum silver multi, and K2 - and feel the best that I have felt physically in many years. I am 62 years old. Should have started that years ago. Hope my long story helps you - and/or someone else.

[DizzyDoll36 in reply to DeeK1]

That is quite encouraging reading your story. I have a score of -2.8 lumbar spine. I am small boned and have always been skinny. I used to dance salsa & Zumba every week and have always been active until about 3 years ago when I fell in my garden, luckily no broken bones but ended up in ICU because I fell face down and broke a blood vessel in my nose and had a massive nosebleed! I am 84 now and no longer dance but walk a lot. I am not on any medication. I also take vitamin D3 & K2. I have to admit I do not exercise very much but I keep active and garden. Do you have an opinion on wearable back supports? I am always seeing ads for them and wondered if they would correct my curved upper back.

[DeeK1 in reply to DizzyDoll36]

I don’t have any experience with the weighted vests out there, however, from what I read - I think they are a good invention. Strength and cardio at the same time.