T score result

[Brizzleben]

Hello again to you all,

I posted a question about osteoporosis last month. Thank you to all those who replied.

At that stage I hadn't had any interpretation of the results from my GP, just the pharmacist telling me I had osteoporosis. Since then Ive a phone consultation with my GP and learned that the T score for my spine is minus 3.2 with a "25% 10 yr osteoporotic fracture probablty score with BMD". At that level, should I be taking the Alendronic Acid?

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hello Brizzleben

From your T score, it does appear that you do need to continue on treatment to protect your bones, especially whilst taking steroids. The following might help:

Normal T Score - -1 or above

Osteopenia - below -1 to -2.5

Osteoporosis - lower than -2.5

Height can come into the equation in that for those who are under 5ft the DEXA may UNDERESTIMATE bone density, whereas for those over 5ft 10ins, the DEXA may OVERESTIMATE bone density.

Including plenty of oily fish in your diet can help with your bones as can ensuring you have plenty of weight-bearing exercise - Nordic pole walking is of particular benefit.

[yogabonnie in reply to Celtic]

take an adult tap dancing class. It is supposed to be GREAT for your bones (balance and brain!)

[Brizzleben in reply to yogabonnie]

I might just do that!

[Brizzleben in reply to Celtic]

That’s useful info. Thanks. Especially as I am tall so density may be lower.

[piglette in reply to Brizzleben]

I think it is the other way round, in general small thin people have lower bone density than taller or fatter people. So it is good to be tall!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to piglette]

"Height can come into the equation in that for those who are under 5ft the DEXA may UNDERESTIMATE bone density, whereas for those over 5ft 10ins, the DEXA may OVERESTIMATE bone density."

Mine is good anyway - and it is probably better as I am barely 5' on a good day. But I am also what one could describe as a "good doer". So my life-long struggle with weight has also contributed to developing good bone density.

[piglette in reply to PMRpro]

It is worth being round and cuddly!

[Brizzleben in reply to piglette]

I'm tall and thin. Never been able to keep much of a covering on my ol' bones. At primary school, late 1960s, my friends called me Biafra Ben.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Probably - that t-score is well into the osteoporosis range. Though whether alendonic acid is the best option with a level like that I'm not sure and you really need to speak to an expert (not a GP IMHO). They may consider you need something like Forteo that actively builds bone rather than AA which as I understand it only maintains and improves it slightly.

[Brizzleben in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you. Would that expert be a rheumatologist? I think it's my rheumatologist that recommended AA. I haven't heard of Forteo.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Brizzleben]

Not in my book no!!! There are doctors who specialise in osteoporosis - a rheumy is just suggesting the bog-standard "prevention" strategy which is now known to have its own problems,

If you are in the UK call the National Osteoporosis Society helpline

nos.org.uk/

There is an equivalent in the US I think.

[Brizzleben in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you, again. 😊