Dexa scan results

[Purplegloss]

I have just received my Dexa scan results, which are as follows; Lumbar spine; There is a mild degenerative right convex lumbar scoliosis. From L1-L4 the overall bone mineral density is 0.791 g/cm2. The T-score is -3.2 which is within the osteoporotic range. Both hips; Bone density on the left side overall is 0.76 g/cm2 and on the right side 0.743. With T-scores of -2.0 and -2.1 respectively these are within the significantly osteopenic range. Comment; The patient is osteopenic in both hips and osteoporotic in the spine. Discussion regarding bone preserving strategies is indicated and I would recommend a follow up scan in 2-3 years to assess trend. Never heard of osteoporotic before-does the scan look pretty much ok to everyone?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Sorry - don't get what you mean: osteoporitic means you have osteoporosis in the bones in your spine. The hip readings aren't quite osteoporosis yet but are heading that way.

I suspect they will want to start you on something a bit stronger than calcium and vit D.

[Purplegloss in reply to PMRpro]

I have not seen the word before, and as the Dr said it was within the range I thought she meant borderline for my age.77yrs. I currently take Vitamin D 4000iu and k2 as well as yoghurt, cheese, milk etc. for bones. Used aledronic acid for 2/3 years, but not keen to restart.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Purplegloss]

Ah, I see. What were your dexascan results after taking AA for 2 years - do you know? There are other options besides AA, including annual infusions.

[Purplegloss in reply to PMRpro]

I was diagnosed with PMR in October 2017, but my first Dexa scan was not done until January 2019 when I had been taking AA for over a year; T-scores were right femur -1.3;left femur -1.0 and spine -3.1. Second Dexa scan was January 2020 -1.1;-1.0 and -3.0 so slightly better result. I think I probably stopped taking AA round about this time, and my latest Dexa scan was -2.0;-2.1 and -3.2 It would have been good to have had a Dexa scan when first diagnosed back in 2017, but I did not know that is what I should have done, until I found this site. I am currently feeling really good, and using dsns have come down on my pred from 6-51/2 to 5MG over the last few months. Seems to make a real difference taking Vitamin D 4000iu and K2, which I started about 4 months ago after a blood test showed an abnormal reading for Vitamin D. Never felt better actually and I have no aches and pains and can walk up to about 2 hours without a problem-don't do it every day of course, as I realise I still need to be careful.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Purplegloss]

That is a big drop in bone density since the January 2020 dexascan - which I'm sure will mean they want you to go back on bisphosphonates because if the bone density continued to go down at a similar rate, you would soon have very low bone density and osteoporosis in your hips too.

[Purplegloss in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks. The spine T-score has only changed from -3.1 to - 3.2 since 2019, but the hip T-scores are not so good, although still only osteopenic. I noticed a comment in one of your other replies about where the Dexa scans were carried out. My first two were NHS, and the last one was private where I felt that the equipment was much better in that they had velcro straps to hold your legs still in the position they wanted, which did not happen at the NHS ones. Do you think I should start up the AA again?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Purplegloss]

It is the rate at which the density appears to have gone down that is concerning - although really you can't compare the readings between machines. It is a difficult decision and yours alone - but even I would consider taking something,

[suenewberry in reply to Purplegloss]

I believe you should do everything possible to protect your bones from fracture. A wedge fracture is exceptionally painful and cannot be reversed. Talk to your specialist about infusions of bisophates. They are easy to administer and can be done once a year, Better to be safe than sorry.

[Purplegloss in reply to suenewberry]

Where do they inject you for this arm/stomach? I guess the injections must be pretty strong if they are the same as 52 weeks of alendronic acid tablets.

[suenewberry in reply to Purplegloss]

I do not know about any others, the one I have is given as a 15 minute infusion, and I have had no side effects. Given because I have 3 wedge fractures. As others have said it is not all straightforward, and each person is affected differently. Talk to the experts on what is right for you.

[suenewberry in reply to suenewberry]

Forgot to mention that I had been steroid free for 2 years when the fractures happened and a Dexa scan of minus 1.1

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to suenewberry]

Which is actually a normal bone density near enough - a score of -1.0 is normal.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to suenewberry]

"Better to be safe than sorry."

It isn't quite as black and white as that - bisphosphonates also have adverse effects.