Does anyone know of data on Dexa scores over time? I am particularly interested in studies that might follow the same individuals over a number of years. I would also be interested in anecdotal information on your personal Dexa scores if you have been getting scanned for a number of years.
I was diagnosed a couple of months ago with osteoporosis through a pharmacy screening. I had a Dexa scan and have scores of -2.6 & -1.5 in my spine and hip. I am 32 and have never fractured a bone. I'm trying to find information about what these Dexa scores mean for me & what is likely to happen over time. There seems to be one school of thought that my bones just might naturally be less dense and that it doesn't increase my risk of fractures. I'm wondering if there is any evidence for or against that.
Thanks!
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DEXA scores over time
- By bethanyb
- Posted August 10, 2009 at 7:21 pm · 6 replies
- In Premenopausal women (ages 25-50) with osteoporosis
- Shared with the public
- Edited August 10, 2009 at 7:22 pm
Explore topics in this discussion:
Exercise Hyperparathyroidism Osteomalacia Fractures Osteoporosis
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- By millie123
- Posted August 11, 2009 at 8:31 am
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Go to the website "Tone Your Bones" for an easy interpretation of your scores. And read Gillian Sanson's book The Myth of Osteoporosis." She does an excellent job of explaining things in layperson's terms. She also has a website and newsletter. The question of bone density versus bone fragility is debated by the best of them. And many other than me than give you the evidence pro and con. The DEXA only tells you the density, not the flexibility, of your bones.
- By JamiAnthony
- Posted August 11, 2009 at 10:24 am
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That school of thought is what a few doctors have told me as well. I have found no proof but would love to see what someone else has found. There is so much conflicting information out there, it's hard to know what to believe. But like I just said in another post, there are no FDA approved drugs for premenopausal women. Does the FDA not think younger people can have this? Why is nothing approved if this disease really exists at an early age?
- By petplant
- Posted August 11, 2009 at 3:14 pm
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My opinion --
Reason #1 - There are no FDA approved drugs for premenopausal women because they have not been tested. If it was more of a "man's disease", they would probably have done these tests.
Reason #2 - Nothing is approved for premenopause because nothing is considered safe when started so early in life.
- By navigator
- Posted October 19, 2009 at 7:11 am
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Other reason could be osteomalacia - sufficient amount of bone substance but low mineralization level. Can you have problems with kidneys?
- By millie123
- Posted October 19, 2009 at 8:28 am
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It's not a bad idea to have all secondary causes checked out. Do have your doctor do a full blood panel, particularly checking calcium, PTH, and Vitamin D levels. Do a 24 hour urine calcium tests. That should rule out hyperparathyroidism, kidney, or low vitamin D.
Jamie: Although I am postmenopausal, I have followed some of your discussions and think we really need to call on some of the more professionally linked folks to place more discussion topics on this forum that deal with pre-menopausal and even pregnant people with osteoporosis. Information I have read is really sketchy. We also have some mothers of teenagers who are stymied by their children's diagnosis.
- By bethanyb
- Posted October 19, 2009 at 4:39 pm
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Thanks for all the information. My doctor did both the 24 urine and several blood draws to check for secondary causes and everything came back normal. I'm working on eating more alkaline foods and exercise, so I hope that I can improve my t-scores. I'm also taking vitamin D and calcium. I know it certainly won't hurt me to do these things even if my t-scores really aren't a problem. It's just frustrating that there doesn't seem to be much information correlating low t-scores at my age with fractures later in life. I guess part of the problem is probably that DEXA scans have only been around for a short time.
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