Am I under the high fracture risk? - Osteoporosis Message Board

efeng · 09-06-2005, 12:57 PM

I am a 54 years old man. Recently I did a bone density test . This is the first time bone density test I have. I got a result summary as follow:

T-score value of -2.2 for the lumbar spine is categorized as osteopenia for
Age matched controls. T-score value of -2.4 for the total left hip is categorized
as osteopenia for age matched controls. T-score value of -2.4 for the femoral
neck is osteopenia. Overall fracture risk is increased.

1) Am I under the high fracture risk?
2) Do I need to increase the Calcium daily?
3) How often do I need to do the follow up bone density test?

Thanks!

taape · 09-06-2005, 08:02 PM

Hello,
Fracture risk can be estimated using your age and your T Score. My doctor had a chart that he looked it up on. You might call your doctor and refer to the chart. Since you have osteopenia and almost osteoporosis *T Score - 2.5 you are at some risk.

How much Calcium are you presently taking?

Did your doctor find out what may be causing your low bone density? Like are you deficient in anything?

Did your doctor start you on any osteo medications?

The frequency of bone density tests usually depends on what your insurance will pay for and what your doctor thinks is necessary. It could be each year or two. I have a friend who gets one every 3-4 months and his insurance pays for it that frequently.

peregrine · 09-07-2005, 05:07 AM

Thanks![/QUOTE]
Read the book The Myth of Osteoporosis. If those were my scores I would first make sure I was taking an absorbable form of calcium daily and getting plenty of weight-bearing exercise.

Dee77 · 09-17-2005, 08:23 PM

What is a absorbable form of calcium? my doc also recomends taking vitamin d. Can you recomend weight bearing exercises?

taape · 09-17-2005, 10:20 PM

I'm taking Citracal it's calcium citrate and is absorbable and it contains Vit D. Weight bearing activities are those that put weight on your bones - walking, running, jumping, lifting weights at a gym. Cycling might be considered weight bearing for the hips if you ride with some resistance on an exercise bike or because your using your legs to push the pedals on an outside bike. Swimming isn't weight bearing but it's still good aerobic exercise.