GP disagrees with diagnosis of osteoporosis

[Mfaepink1973]

I had a Dexa scan 2 weeks ago and the lady who did the scan told me I had osteoporosis and gave me a leaflet about it and an information sheet about Alendronic acid. She said GP would contact me when he got the results to start me on AA. Last week I got a text from GP saying “your bone thickness is normal. No further action needed” I’ve got an appointment this morning to query this with the GP but would appreciate advice. When I started on pred I asked about calcium and vitamin D and was assured they weren’t necessary if I had a healthy diet.

[SnazzyD]

The main thing is to get the numbers as without those, nobody can comment. See below in the link that gives you the normal results of T scores.

theros.org.uk/information-a...

As for vitamin D, it needs to be checked to make sure your levels are adequate. I have read from various sources that low levels are common in the UK. Not everyone’s skin is good at making it from sunshine and many don’t have a diet rich in it. I have always had to supplement it seems because as soon as I don’t, it drops. It is vital for bone health and general well-being. Calcium is easier to get from diet and you can Google for a list. I have read sometimes that dairy isn’t the best source to rely on completely, especially low fat dairy because vitamin D is carried in fat. Without vitamin D your calcium isn’t very useful and you need all the help you can get when on Pred, though not everyone’s bones are affected judging by people’s experiences here.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

As Snazzy says - need the numbers! Such diverse opinions seem a bit strange to me.

Personally I disagree with the calcium/vit D statement. You need to make sure you DO have enough calcium. I took calcium for some years because I didn't have that much dairy - worsened when the dietician insisted I cut dairy etc as much as possible. More recently I stopped the calcium and eat more dairy.

I have always taken more vit D than they suggest as without supplements my vit D level fell slowly but steadily until it was very low despite being outdoors a lot. I take 4000 IU a day and that keeps it steady.

The result has been my bone density which was upper range osteopenia when I started taking pred 14 years ago has remained in the mid-range of osteopenia even without taking any so-called "bone protection meds".

[Mfaepink1973 in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for your reply I’ve added an update and Dexa results now and will definitely up my Vit D pending blood test results. Thanks for your advice

[Bcol]

I've never had an operator give me the results, always been left to doctor, although I get the results at the same time as they do.

[Mfaepink1973 in reply to Bcol]

Thanks, she didn’t give me the figures just told me that I had osterporosis and GP would be prescribing Alendronic Acid. I’ve added an update and Dexa results

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Mfaepink1973]

Lord knows how she came to that conclusion!!!!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro]

Quite ..and rather disturbing if she’s relating that sort of info to all patients…

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to DorsetLady]

Warrants a complaint IMHO.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro]

Agree…

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

You may have a healthy diet -and under normal circumstances wouldn’t need a supplement-but Pred reduces the body’s ability to absorb calcium -so whilst taking steroids you may well require a top up. So for your GP to dismiss it out of hand is a bit premature.

[Mfaepink1973 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks, I’ve added an update and Dexa results

[piglette]

The diagnosis of osteoporosis is based on actual figures obtained from the Dexascan. It is not a matter of debate. Could it be that the scan operator was handing out leaflets to everyone who had a scan for information? I have never been told my results by the scan operator.

[Mfaepink1973 in reply to piglette]

No she definitely said I had osteoporosis. Thanks, I’ve added an update and Dexa results

[piglette in reply to Mfaepink1973]

Very strange. I would not have thought she had the authority to tell you. Perhaps she had been told to hand out leaflets to people who fell into a certain range and she just misread it or she just got it wrong! It will be interesting to see what results you actually have. Have you asked for a printout from your GP Surgery?