Dexa scan results

[Jeaniem130]

I am 59 and just got my second dexa scan. No family history. A bit surprised as I am active and take vitamin D. Can someone explain how age match is calculated? Thank you!

[Met00]

I don't know about the Age Matched score, but I would say that your rate of bone density loss appears to be below average. It's normal to lose about 1% bone density a year, yet according to these results you've only lost 3% in 7 years!

[Jeaniem130 in reply to Met00]

Really, my research says 3-5% loss over ten years is expected?

[Met00 in reply to Jeaniem130]

This article says 1% per year, with on average 15% in the 5 years post menopause: sciencedirect.com/topics/ag.... I've read this elsewhere too, but this was the first article that I've found on doing a quick google.

[Jeaniem130]

Interesting. Appears then that we post menopausal women may be taking unnecessary bone building medications. I take my d3/k workout and take hrt.

[Jeaniem130]

Dr called and wants me to come in to discuss bone meds. She feels -2.6 in the lumbar spine is concerning since it is a 3.3% decrease since my 2013 scan. I take d3/k2, walk, strength train using dumbbells and started hrt in 2018. I am not going in committed to her suggestions but would like to know if others found a drug treatment they are comfortable with. I may just start drinking lots of bone broth with collagen and retest in 2 years. No family history, my mom is 78. just barely 5' and very petite. She never exercised but had 7 kids and was a time when floors were scrubbed by hand and she weeded the garden and pushed mowed the lawn, so not sitting much!

[Met00]

I think your doctor needs to read up on normal bone loss! Also, at least in the UK, HRT is considered a bone medication. Do you have your hip scores from the same 2 scans? I'm guessing they're of no concern, as you haven't mentioned them. Ask your GP to run a FRAX or similar fracture risk calculator, as DEXA scan scores shouldn't be the sole basis for prescribing meds. Unless you have risk factors you haven't mentioned (eg taking steroids), a score of -2.6 shouldn't be the basis for prescribing bone meds, especially as you're already on HRT!

[Jeaniem130]

The frax report said 9.3% 10 yr risk for spine. I can't recall on the hip, i had osteopenia in the hip on both scans but the hip had only slightly worsened on the second one. I have been researching and think I am going to decline meds and take strontium citrate and mag malate and mag glycinate along with my d3/k2. I do feel weird prickly sensations in my hips and spine which makes me think something is wonky. A xray from 2007 showed slight narrowing in L1.

[Met00 in reply to Jeaniem130]

So that means you have an almost 91% chance of not fracturing! Bisphosphonates like Alendronic Acid would only halve your fracture risk, so 9.3% risk would become 4.65% risk in 10 years. Bear in mind, too, that that isn't really your individual risk, as it's based on what would happen in a population. For example, if 100 people had the same risk factor as you, without meds 9 would fracture, with meds 4 or 5 would still fracture. You could be one of the 91 who would never fracture anyway. There's a good explanation of it here: nice.org.uk/guidance/ta464/...

Strontium citrate can be effective at building bone density and, assuming it works like the prescription drug strontium ranelate, also increase bone strength. But as it's likely to act in the same way as strontium ranelate, you should also be aware that it may not be suitable for anyone with existing heart problems, and can increase blood pressure.

[Jeaniem130 in reply to Met00]

Thank you. I am going to cancel the appointment with the Dr.

[Reese4 in reply to Met00]

I found this rather skimpy description (below) of the difference between strontium ranelate and strontium citrate but it does show they are only similar, not the same. There's a reason one has not been approved in the US and the other is readily available. I've been taking strontium citrate for many years with no affect on my blood pressure. I began atenolol before the strontium and there's been no increase. It seems it's the ranelate that is the culprit and the distolic number is the most likely affected, my distolic is always below 80.

I also saw some who have a rise in BP with citrate but that most do not. I'd say it's worth a try.

"Now let us look at the prescribed variants – strontium ranelate and strontium citrate. They are both strontium salts. Strontium ranelate is composed of two atoms of stable strontium (natural) and a molecule of ranelic acid (synthetic/man-made). Strontium citrate is composed of two atoms of strontium and a molecule of citric acid."

[Met00 in reply to Reese4]

I've read in more than one place that the strontium is what acts on the bones, not what it's combined with. So unless it's the ranelate combination rather than the strontium itself that can aggravate existing heart issues, then there's at least the possibility that strontium citrate could do the same. I wouldn't want to risk it if I had heart problems.

[Jeaniem130]

Any thoughts on the prickly stinging feelings I get in my spine and hip?

[Met00 in reply to Jeaniem130]

Trapped nerve? Have you asked your doctor about it?