Bone mineral density

[Clarrisa]

Are Bone Mineral Density (BMD) tests necessary (with a hypothyroid diagnosis)? I am not keen on the whole idea.

[Clutter]

Clarrisa,

A DEXA scan is only necessary if it is suspected that BMD is low due to having long term suppressed TSH or long term high FT3 or if you are taking medications which can lower bone density.

[Mary-intussuception]

Hi Clarrisa , what is it about the test you are not keen on?

What test are you having and were you given an idea of how long you'll wait.

Is it a DXA scan? I would like one but can't get GP to order it. I know someone who had a finding of Osteopenia. There was no difficulty or discomfort with the scan.

Have you ever had blood tests to check the following nutrients levels?

Vitamin D , Calcium

B12 and Folate

Ferritin?

[Clarrisa in reply to Mary-intussuception]

I was seeking a second opinion on my thyroid condition but this doctor has thrown in a "BMD" test (according to a schedule they sent). It says "The most commonly used BMD test is a dual energy absorptiometry (DEXA) test. This is similar to an X-ray." The name alone is enough to scare me off. As for labs, I am lab challenged (so to speak, plus been under the weather). I still am obtaining current ones, not sure what has & has not been drawn yet.

[Mary-intussuception]

Why has the name scared you? It's a scan.

[Mary-intussuception]

Why do you need a second opinion on your Thyroid condition? Are you having symptoms? Would you like to put your list of symptoms on here? Do you think you are undermedicated?

Do you know if you have Hashimoto's Autoimmune Thyroiditis?

Maybe you need up to date blood tests as well as those nutrients levels tested.

Ask your doctor about getting the following tested:

Thyroid Antibodies TPO and Tg (Thyroid Peroxidase and Thyroglobulin).

TSH, Free T3, Free T4, T3 & T4

Nutrients:

Vitamin D, Calcium

B12 & Folate

also Ferritin.

Try not to be anxious / overly concerned about the DEXA scan, as it says, it's like an xray.

I would welcome it, I'm envious !

x🐥

[Clarrisa]

I am old school, I like the physician to do a traditional history & physical exam. I want the doctor to palpate my thyroid area, listen to my heart for a full minute, etc. When they give their patient less of a exam than a nurse juggling 8 patients has time for it makes me uneasy. I combine second opinion exertions with vacations. My companion had multiple myeloma & had all the low calcium interventions. As he died of secondary pancreatic cancer I have a lot of mixed feelings about them. I think I would rather spend $600/month on food not line the pockets of drug company CEOs.

[Clarrisa]

Sorry for the sour grapes about expenses from the states. The cost today for treatment drugs (with insurance) is undoubtedly a lot more now. I think my companion's body could not handle all the interventions thrown at it, Zometa being one of them. It is unfortunate here costs are very much part of the equation.

[Mary-intussuception in reply to Clarrisa]

Sorry to hear of your loss. Not easy to be thinking of having investigations yourself when you are grieving the loss of your Precious companion.

I'd imagine that a DEXA scan in the US would be rather costly.

If you don't want, it could you just say so?

What reason has your Physician given for wanting you to have the DEXA scan, anyway ?

Did you see my private message?

Have you recently discovered that you have very low Vitamin D levels ? ie Vitamin D deficiency or severe deficiency? Do you have Calcium deficiency? Have you had any bone injuries?

I have some contact information for the National Osteoporosis Society (England) and the National Osteoporosis Foundation (US). Should you decide to go ahead with the scan then you could contact one of them, I'm sure they could explain it to you and put your mind at ease. Or you could ask why someone might need it?

Will put all the info in another reply.

Sorry again for your loss xx

[Mary-intussuception in reply to Mary-intussuception]

Reply number 5

National Osteoporosis Society (England)

email: [e-mail]

National Osteoporosis Foundation (US) - 1 [phone]

email: [e-mail]

National Osteoporosis Foundation Support Groups in California -

NOF Eisenhower Osteoporosis Medical Centre Support Group

Rancho Mirage: email: [e-mail]

NOF South Bay Osteoporosis Support Group

Torrance: email: [e-mail]

San Diego Bone Health Group email: [e-mail]

[radd]

Clarrisa,

DEXA scans are important to assess bone density & the risks of developing bone fractures. As well as what Clutter advises low bone density can also be the result from many years of undiagnosed hypothyroidism.

Healthy bones requires optimal T4/T3 ratio so that old bone can be dissolved or resorbed, and new bone can be produced to replace what was resorbed. When thyroid levels are too low, both bone resorption and production decrease & can result in fragile brittle bones.

I was diagnosed osteopenic in 2013 and have since been medicating a T4/T3 combo & then NDT and another recent DEXA has shown although I am still officially oesteopenic, the thyroid hormone replacement has been successful in not only halting the progression but reversing it a little.

DEXA scans use a much lower level of radiation than standard X-rays. So much so the radiographer stays in the room.

[Clarrisa]

Thank you Radd & everyone else for your thoughtful input. As the saying goes "If you don't have medical problems you haven't had a full work-up yet."-or something to that effect. I guess I am asking for a better H.& P. & complaining about getting one. Just tell me to shut up!

[radd in reply to Clarrisa]

Clarrisa,

We will never tell you to shut up.

Sometimes we just need another's input to decide on what direction we should take. Whether we actually take it or not is another matter ... 😜 ...

If you provide latest thyroid hormone results complete with ranges (numbers in brackets) & details of meds, etc, members will comment.

I too am sorry for your loss.

[Mary-intussuception in reply to Clarrisa]

No !

What's H & P

[Clarrisa]

H & P= history & physical. I will ask the Dr. why it is being ordered. I am still gathering medical records (labs), I am very low tech (if you are wondering why it is taking me this long). Thank all of you for bearing with me. You give me hope for a non muddling along tomorrow.

[Mary-intussuception in reply to Clarrisa]

Thanks, and not wondering why "it is taking this long" . Not very high tech myself! But we learn as we go along.

Hope you manage to get your Vitamin D levels & Calcium tested (& the others) unless you had them done recently - and all the info you need about the scan.

x🐥

[Clarrisa]

Follow-up: Spoke with my Primary Doctor about BMD test. Was told the Endo Dr. I recently saw had also ordered this test based on a questionnaire I filled out. I was told oral medications to treat deficiencies are cheap (in the states). Intravenous treatment (as my companion had) is another story.