Help with Dexa Results - Osteoporosis Message Board

abbeyg · 12-03-2008, 01:52 PM

Hi All,

I have my results back for my Dexa Scan and I am not very happy. My summary shows that I have a t score of the hip of -2.68 and a t score of the spine of +2.10. Yes, I said +2.10!! The problem is they scanned my L2, L3, and L4 and I broke my back in August and had spinal fusion of T-10 through L2. My results page shows L2 at 196.1% t score +6.74, L3 at 75.1% t score -1.75 and L4 68.3% -2.31. Would this not be a false positive??

I also had my vitamin D checked and the results are Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy) was 25 and Vitamin D Dihydroxy 1, 25 was 35. My TSH was 1.687.

I went back today and had my parathyroid checked and my calcium levels.

Anyone have any thoughts on my results.

Thanks!

taape · 12-03-2008, 06:13 PM

So having your vertebrae fused shows up as dense bone, we'll I guess it actually is if your all the way fused. Interesting. It seems like it would be false score because I don't know how someone could have more than +1 for bone density and your L2 T score is Plus 6. I would ask to also look at the film to see if the bone looks dense or has the holes that osteoporosis causes.

As for you hip I wonder what your doctor is recommending for treatment or is he/she? I don't blame you for not being happy is minus scores. I've got them myself.

abbeyg · 12-04-2008, 08:20 AM

My vertebrae is not fused yet...it is just starting to fuse according to my ortho. I had donor bone from my right hip to help aid in the fusion and I believe a cage at my L2 as well as my T-12. This is clearly throwing off my results since the lower two vertebrae are much lower in %. My Family Doctor says my back is in great shape

I fell on some steps at my home in August....I didn't fall down the steps..just fell on a step straight down on my bum. I suffered a burst fracture to my T-12 and a compression to my L2 and required surgery the next day.

My ortho. doctor was the one who requested the bone scan hopefully he will have more insite when I see him later this month.

Anyone else think this is crazy or just me??

turtlelady · 12-04-2008, 09:12 AM

Did your fusion surgery involve any metal? That'll definitely throw your scores way off unless the people scanning you are swift enough to take note of the fact. I had one place that refused to scan me at all following my first fusion, as they said any results would be meaningless. Best of luck! Keep us posted.

abbeyg · 12-04-2008, 09:19 AM

yes, I have two rods, two cages, two sliders, and eight screws in my back.