Dexa scan

[Sunflower_33]

My second Dexa scan showed an increase of bone mineral density if my femoral neck, but a decrease in my spine? Has this happened to anyone?

[Met00]

There are one or two reasons why this might have happened. Did you have the two scans on the same machine? If not, it isn't possible to compare results, because their margin of error is too great for that to be reliable. Alternatively, it's possible that there was an error in one or more of your results (for example, positioning or interpretation). Have you been confined to a wheelchair, so that your spine has had little impact since your last scan? Or have you developed arthritis in your hip, which could make your bone density appear to have improved? Unfortunately DEXA scans are open to quite a list of errors, so if you had another scan very soon, (even on the same day!), you would be likely to get different results!

[yogalibrarian in reply to Met00]

Good points.

[FearFracture in reply to Met00]

Had a DEXA scan on Monday. The results of my DEXAs are listed on a link in my bio if anyone is interested. If you look, you will find that in my L1 T score shows as

July 2019 -4.5

July 2021 -3.8

December 2022 -4.1

All 3 DEXAs were done on the same scanner—a GE Lunar.

I doubt seriously that my L1 BMD went up and down the way the DEXA results show. My guess is my July 2021 numbers were off.

[Zulu-girl in reply to FearFracture]

Wow, it’s concerning that the results can be so misleading. It’s just good that you were on top of what’s going on

[Zulu-girl in reply to Met00]

Appreciate the info and insights very much!

[Pretsini]

Ask your physician for an explanation.

[Red3217]

Yes this happened to me. I am sure of the reason. I moved from a house that was one level to a house that is a split level meaning that I walk stairs constantly. I know this had an effect on my bones and test results. Of course, the doctors just dismissed my reasoning. I don’t discuss osteoporosis with my doctors anymore. I told my general practitioner that I am frustrated that I had osteopenia for 15 years and not one doctor gave me suggestions of how to improve my bones, they just acted like it was no big deal. One actually told me, oh you are small boned so that’s normal to show osteopenia. I went on to say to my doctor that now that my numbers are showing osteoporosis the doctors act like my bones are all going to break if I don’t take meds! At that point, the conversation ended. She was offended. I don’t care.

When I was first diagnosed the doctor I had immediately prescribed drugs. When I went to pick them up, the pharmacist (bless his heart) said, are you sure you want to take this? Read up on it thoroughly before you decide. Well I threw them away and am so thankful I did.

Sorry about the rant but I’m so frustrated that we are made to feel so threatened by this.

[Hane21 in reply to Red3217]

I am on the same boat as you. Not a doctor told me, exercise more and eat things with calcium. Only one said, when leaving the room,you need to do weights. I responded I don't like that, and he did not care to explain why he was suggesting to do weights. One doctor gave me fosomax in my 40!!!!! with osteopenia. Years later, when I learned what to do (exercise, diet), I asked him why he did not say anything of that? why he did not explain what does it mean weight bearing? when you think that walking is enough. I said, I am worried, I took fosomax so young. He said, I am worried too. But, you prescribed it to me! I am sorry, he replied.

He actually did not give me exact dates from when I took fosomax. I want to know exactly how many years I took it. I call his office, and they don't return my calls. I asked for my records and they don't answer! What a lack of professionalism!

[Hidden in reply to Hane21]

By law you are entitled to have a full copy of your medical records.

[Hane21 in reply to Hidden]

yes, that is the strange thing, what is going on at that office or with this doctor?

[Pretsini in reply to Red3217]

I honestly think most doctors do not know a lot about it. My gynecologist ordered the DEXA, which indicated lower scores, but not osteoporosis, in the hip, suggested that calcium supplements would not help, and I should start ibandronate (Boniva) for three years. At the annual visit to the primary care physician, he said the drug builds bone back. Luckily I was able to get an appointment with a bone health specialist. the appointment is a year from now but that allows time to upgrade calcium intake via diet and supplements and see if the test results show improvement. My concern with medication is that a scrip is issued but there is no game plan for what comes next, how to get off it, etc.

[Rainshower in reply to Red3217]

I had the same history with my doctor (in US) throwing Fosomax at my low DEXA score (no benchmark to try and figure out why this score was low). I refused the script until at least I could figure out the best solution to me.I fit none of the criteria for osteoporosis. Now I'm thankful to have waited. There ARE better ways to build bone than bone drugs. I do many things now, weighted vest, more walking rather than swimming or cycling, an addition of minerals such as boron (3-6 mg. daily) to my list of daily supplements, more sleep, etc. Now I'm excited to take my 2nd DEXA. Look up Dr.Susan Brown at Betterbones.org.

[inapart in reply to Rainshower]

I will surely look up your recommendation Dr. Susan Brown. Sounds like you are on the right track.

[FearFracture in reply to Rainshower]

My DEXA results are listed here My DEXA results are listed here healthunlocked.com/boneheal...

There has been some improvement in my BMD. My numbers started pretty low and I was 50 when diagnosed and when my endocrinologist told me my bones were “horrible” and pushed meds, I thought that was my only option. I didn’t start researching natural ways to improve bones until after I’d taken the osteo-drugs. Now, I considering trying natural means instead of having another infusion this year and I have an appt with my endocrinologist this week to discuss the matter.

When is your next DEXA and if you’ve already had it will you please share your numbers and let us know if what you are doing is improving your BMD.

[Rainshower in reply to FearFracture]

My next DEXA will be in the late spring. I will post. Cheerio

[FearFracture in reply to Rainshower]

I'm rooting for you!

[Rainshower in reply to FearFracture]

Thank you. You are very kind.I have every intention on continuing an active lifestyle into my 80's. Without bone drugs.

I am learning every day. Just today, for example, Dr. Susan Brown mentioned that very small boned women (of which I am not!) often do not score well on the DEXA. Who would have known!!!!

[Zulu-girl in reply to Red3217]

Thank you so much for your story! It made me smile for your chutzpah, even though it was clearly very frustrating.

How fortunate you had a pharmacist give you another opportunity for a different perspective. And we should question medication before just taking it.👍

[yogalibrarian]

A short (simplistic) answer is that it is very difficult to increase bone density in the spine. Increasing bone density in the hip is easier (but not easy). The hips get more load-bearing exercise than the spine.

A webinar a few months ago (sorry I don't have the link handy) suggested that your hips are an indicator of your current exercise regimen. The spine is reflective of your exercise in your bone-building years. (It's also a simplistic model.)

Another possibility is that arthritis in your hips may skew the DXA results and make it appear that you have increased BMD.

[Tlflom]

My pcp was the best I could find on medicare. One year alone, I went to 5 different specialists because she did not do her job. In each case I was proven correct. Now I have a very good pcp (new to the area) and am gradually letting go of the specialists. I followed al recommendations for osteopenia; diet, dancing 3 to 5 nights a week, loads of walking in my job, before that rod horses everyday, taking 1200mg of calcium & 2000 units of D. I now have osteoporosis. I made sure the Dexascan was on the same machine. I see the pcp this week. I will be 70 soon, and small framed, family history, and expect an Rx. My own research recommends adding K2, Stontium, and vibration plate. I have started all of that while waiting to see my pcp.