Have been for my private DXA scan

[Jo1947]

Hi all, travelled to the London Imaging clinic yesterday for my Scan, £65 and well worth it. It doesn’t take long and I have a copy of my results in my hand and copies sent to my Doctor. Trouble is I don’t understand them! Could someone explain which figures I need to look at, thank you all in advance

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Jo, the printout will normally give a T Score for the hips and the spine. The T Score range is as follows:

Normal T Score: -1 or above

Osteopenia: Below -1 to -2.5

Osteoporosis: Lower than -2.5

Something I learned when I was researching this for myself several years ago was that for women 5ft tall or shorter, the DEXA may UNDERESTIMATE bone density, whereas for women 5ft 10ins or taller the DEXA may OVERESTIMATE bone density.

Don't feel too concerned if you find that you come just within the osteopenia range - I did but treatment wasn't necessary and, in fact, after another scan a few months after coming off steroids, my bone density was within the normal range.

Hope that helps.

[Soraya_PMR in reply to Celtic]

That’s interesting about the height Celtic. I’m 6’1” (female) and my T scores were 0.0 and 0.5 (spine/hip). But I’m going to accept it at face value, as I’m not accepting AA😉. But if I need a future DEXA, then it will be compared with mine, and I guess I’ll still be above 5’10” (even if I do some old age shrinking).

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Soraya_PMR]

I love your reasoning, Soraya! As for "old age shrinking", I've lost an inch and a half but what I want to know is why that doesn't apply width-ways!!

[Soraya_PMR in reply to Celtic]

GRAVITY 😂🤣😂

[Brixhamhampster in reply to Celtic]

Celtic thank you for such a useful post. I am only four feet ten and a half inches (the half is very important) so was very interested in those figures. I did take AA for a few months but came off it when I reached 5mg a day. I hated taking it and decided to stop even though I cannot have a dexa scan. Cost again I suppose.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Celtic]

Oooh - that's interesting, I didn't know that. Makes mine even better...

[Soraya_PMR]

Have you got something described as T scores? In the range of around 0.5 to -2.5.

[SheffieldJane]

What a wonderful diversity of women we have in this small sample. No wonder one size cannot fit all with our treatment. It’s common sense.

Jane 5ft 6 ins. Bones of a 30 year old, so I have been told. Thanks for the useful thread.

[HeronNS in reply to SheffieldJane]

Nice to have those bones, Jane! I've shrunk by a couple of inches, As Soraya says, gravity I suppose, but it's quite devastating to me as I'd always been tall in my school classes, then average, but taller than most of the people in my group of friends of like age, although the younger women seem to be as much taller than me as I was taller than women in the parents' generation. But now I feel short, and it's another blow to my psychological wellbeing.

Jean 5'4" (now) and I don't know how old my bones are but they're getting younger!

[SheffieldJane]

I was tall at school but my children and their friends tower over me. We fed them too well.

Not much use having the bones of a 30 year old if you feel 90 half the time though.

[yogabonnie]

Did you find the T score?

[yogabonnie]

Also... I must say .. I think the bone density scans are NOT always indicators of bad bones.. I think flexibility isn't measured.. (not that I'm a doctor etc!) but it seems to me before bone density scans..everyone was probably losing bone as an older person.. my grandmothers lived into their 90's and great grandmothers nearly there.. all were shorter but no broken bones. My mom was 98. had terrible bone density she was told lost about 5" and never broke a bone. I think we are all different and should work on agility and balance! Perhaps I'll sing another tune when my bones break but right now just taking calcium etc and walking. T score -2.7 but feeling fine! And counting on my bones bending like willow branches and not snapping like twigs!! Happy Holidays. My favorite thing is being part of this group of men and women who are so wise and wonderful!

[Soraya_PMR in reply to yogabonnie]

You’ve got it YB! Agility and balance! A FALLS RISK assessment may well be more appropriate, eliminate dizzy spells, poor eyesight, balance improvement etc etc, that IMO would have a major impact on # numbers, far exceeding AA. And no side effects.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Soraya_PMR]

Exactly - what I keep saying too!

[Marie1479 in reply to yogabonnie]

This is just what I needed to hear. I just had my dexa and I have “slightly” worsened since last year. osteopenia range. I wasn’t surprised as I went from an active 51 yr old woman who practiced yoga everyday to nothing. Even physical therapy was impossible. Now 53 feeling much better with exception of steroidal rotor cuff tear in shoulder, I find every excuse not to exercise. I think subconsciously I’m afraid of inducing a flare. I promised myself on the 26th I would very gently get back into my routine because there is no way in hell I will take Fosamax again (severe reaction). I also need to take calcium again. I stopped because it constipated me so need to research how to avoid this. Perhaps I’m not taking it at the right time or combination?

[HeronNS in reply to Marie1479]

What form of calcium did you take, Marie 1479? Some kinds are better tolerated than others, or more easily absorbed. Generally speaking people find calcium citrate easier to take. You can also make sure you take it with a little food, but preferably not with other medications (like prednisone or iron supplements) as calcium may interfere with their absorption. I take calcium with lunch, and a second dose near bedtime (not right before I lie down!) always with a small snack including usually a little milk and a small amount of plain yoghurt. You shouldn't take more than 400 or 500 mg calcium at one time as the body simply can't absorb so much in one go. Additional supplements which can help include Vitamin D3, of course, and Vitamin K2. If you feel you need a little extra magnesium take that separately from the calcium, or consider a soak in an Epson salts bath or footbath, as your skin will absorb magnesium.

And please start to exercise again. Every little you do will help. Ease into it gradually so you don't cause yourself pain.

All the best.

[Marie1479 in reply to HeronNS]

Thank you so much for all this valuable info!

[yogabonnie in reply to HeronNS]

OH. I had no idea it couldn't absorb more than 500 at a time! Thanks for that!!! I will divide the calcium up through the day. I have the big pills 4 for 1000mg and 500 of "gummies" (the extra 500 as a treat! before bed)

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Marie1479]

Walk - start with short walks and build up. That is all you MUST do. You don't have to go to the gym,no need to "work out". I started with 200 yards into the village - using crutches! Every little helps!!!

Calium supplements vary - just keep trying different ones.

[Marie1479 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you

[HeronNS in reply to Marie1479]

I don't work out at a gym. Never athletic in my life, either. But I do walk a lot now, and have a slew of various exercises accumulated from many trips to physiotherapists over the years, as well as a little yoga, and since PMR I've taken up Nordic walking and Tai chi, both with an eye to helping maintain bones.

[yogabonnie in reply to Marie1479]

I think you need the magnesium with the calcium (and D) (and K2) to prevent constipation and 10 glasses of water a day.! And you are welcome to my Yoga tracks (look under my posts on relaxation) easy-get you back into it.. It's the 26th!!!) I'm beginning again with no sugar today! this last month has been out of control with sugar and salt and my puffy face shows it!

[Soraya_PMR]

Jo1947 you’ve generated a lovely thread..... but have you worked out your results yet?

[Jo1947 in reply to Soraya_PMR]

Hi soraya, these are the figures,

Lumbar spine T score -0.3

Right hip T score -1.0

Comments on these two is WHO classification, normal with fracture risk not increased.

Left hip T score -1.1 with the comment WHO classification Osteopenia, fracture risk increased.

Thank you not sure how bad this is in the left hip

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Jo1947]

It isn't bad at all. Those readings are much the same as mine - after 8+ years of pred which has resulted in a very small fall in my bone density readings. I didn't take AA, I took calcium and vit D.

I wouldn't take AA on that basis.

[Soraya_PMR in reply to Jo1947]

Good diet, good supplements, up your WB exercise. That should control/improve that.

Those results wouldn’t have me reaching for AA.

[yogabonnie]

Those are good scores. I would NEVER take anything other than exercise and calcium supplements with those!! I think any doctor suggesting otherwise has not done his/her research and is just spouting the drug distributor's advice! Good! Don't worry! Walk on!