Already a member? Sign in
What - Inspire is a place where you can connect with people who share your health concerns and find information and advice in groups sponsored by organizations you know and trust.
Why - As a member you can use Inspire to let friends and family know how you're doing, contact others who share your health concerns, receive personalized updates and information about participating in surveys and clinical trials, and more.
How - Joining Inspire is completely free and usually takes less than a minute. Join now!
Hello everyone
Please tell me so that we are all singing from the same page: when you refer to the T score in the your spine is that the average of all the vertebrae T scores or are you referring to the worst of the vertebrae T scores?
I'm looking at my dexa scan and my spine results are labelled L1, L2, L3, L4.
Thank you
The T-score is the average for folks about 30 years old. The Z-score compares you to folks your age. In other words, you're looking at a comparison of your bones to that of an average "other."
Thanks Millie but it seems like I didn't explain myself very well. I'll try again.
My spinal T scores are
L1 (-1.3)
L2 (-2.0)
L3 (-2.6)
L4 (-1.3)
So how is my overall spine T score calculated? Is it the lowest of the above numbers or is it the average?
I think the average. Not awful scores, by the way.
Hey, Catkin:
I'm not through menopause yet, and my scores are muuuuuch worse. (-3.4, -3.2 in L1 and L2.) I would kill for your scores.
As for your question about the overall -- it's averaged. Even with my horrid -3.4 score, my overall spine is -2.6. The doctor gave me that average, I didn't come up with it myself. I'm horrible at figuring averages.
Best,
Raye
What she did do, however, was change her diet, take quality supplements, and get on a dedicated exercise program.
Best,
Raye
Grr. I hate when I do that. I had started in the previous post to talk about my friend Bonnie, who went from scores similar to yours, back to "normal" over the course of about three years, just doing exercise and eating correctly. Then I decided I'd leave that out, but didn't see that it was below my signature line. Gah! Makes me look like I lose track of my thoughts... which I do...what was I saying? Apologies.
Raye
Lil
There's always someone worse than any of us isn't there.
I'm delighted to have found this site as no matter our scores we are all in the same boat - all trying to make things better.
Like most posters on here I'm managing this situation myself with input from medical professionals. I've visited an endo, a dietician, a hormone specialist and I've picked up bits and pieces from each of them and a heck of a lot from internet research, books and forums such as this.
I'm too trying the natural way, supplements, change of lifestyle and exercise. Great to hear about your friend with the fantastic results; she must be so chuffed with herself.
Lilray
Any chance of letting me know exactly what exercises your friend did? I'm not finding that many exercises for strengthening the spine - I do several different classes at my gym including yoga, weight training, circuits, however it doesn't seem like there are too many exercises that will target the lower spine. I'm quite happy that I am doing exercises for all other areas of my beautiful (ha) body.
Thanks
Hello Catkin:
Do some online searching for Strontium. It is an element that is denser than calcium. Studies in Europe using Strontium Ranelate (which is not available in the United States) have shown good results in increasing bone density. In the U.S. you can find various sources for strontium citrate. The research that I have read states that it is the strontium content that is most effective. I have been using it and will get retested with a DEXA scan in about another 1 1/2 years - when my insurance covers the next test.
Best to you
SML Health
Hello SML Health
I am very interested in strontium as a natural supplement however I'm living in Australia just now and can't get it here. I don't know if I will be able to buy it when I go back to the UK?
She did yoga. Lots of it.
Re: weights/exercises: Are you doing the superman? That targets the lower spine.
Lilrayosun,
what is the "superman"? I too am very interested in devising an exercise program to strengthen my spine. My Dexascan reads "AP Spine L1-L4 Spine . . with a T-Score of -2.7", so I am guessing that is an average.
Thanks Lilrayosun - I do yoga a couple of times a week but superman is something that could be done at home. Bjonhs, look here http://www.ehow.com/video_4972646_yoga-superman-position.html
Bonnie did yoga daily at home, in addition to going to one class a week. She also walked 2 miles a day. She hates weight lifting, so she didn't do any of that. Whereas I'm sort of the mindset of "throw a bunch of peas at a window and see what sticks." I do everything: daily yoga and walks, and weightlifting twice a week. Should be three times a week, but I really hate lifting weights.
Don't know what your yoga level is, but I make sure to do the backbend poses (and no, not an actual backbend -- just things that work the spine), Cobra, Locust, Bridge, Warrior I, Awkward Chair... There's others, but I can't think of them. I use the modifications so that I'm working in a safe range for someone with osteoporosis.
Best,
Raye
Hello Catkin:
Can you order online to have strontium citrate sent overseas? There are several U.S. sources but I don't know if they will ship to Australia.
smlhealth
AussieLass is in Australia and is using strontium, I believe. Why not click on her member name, add her as a friend, and ask her where she finds it?
Add to the discussion