My DXA results - what do you think? - Osteoporosis Message Board

luciansava · 08-28-2003, 05:29 AM

Hello,

I'm 25 and I have just tested with a DXA test, on the Lumbar Spine.

My results are these:

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L1: BMD (g/cm2): 0.937; T-Score: -0.6
L2: BMD (g/cm2): 1.021; T-Score: -0.7
L3: BMD (g/cm2): 0.990; T-Score: -1.0
L4: BMD (g/cm2): 0.933; T-Score: -1.9

Total: BMD (g/cm2): 0.970; T-Score: -1.1

Total BMD CV 1.0%, ACF=1.027, BCF=1.000, TH=6.480
WHO Clasification: Osteopenia
======================================== =========

I will go see a doctor about the results, of course, but at that same
time I want to ask you, what you think about the results, how much
should i worry?

In the past, for about 6 years, I had some problems with calcium
because I wasn't eating very well and I didn't have enough calcium
for my body. It came up that I had a quite big calcium problem because
of the food habbit. The good news that this problem is now over, for about
a year I am eating good and getting enough calcium.

At the same time I would like to know how worry I should be about these
results, and whether it's something that needs to be treated or not.

The problems with the food and the calcium were solved in the meantime,
as I said, but i'm not sure whether my bones will still recover, or
will continue to damage?

What do you think?

Thank you,

Lucian

bjg · 08-28-2003, 05:41 AM

the way i understand it is this ..with a t score of -1.1 it means that your bone density is 11% below what is considered normal ...a t score of -2.5 is considered to be osteoperosis...so you are almost half way there.. for most women the majority of their lifetime bone loss is after menopause..but anorexics start out early and i believe there is a clinical trial going on now for a new med for that group..since fosamax and evista are fda approved for post menopausal only ..actontel tho has been approved for use by women who have sterois induced bone loss and are not menopausal ..good luck

USAFMOM · 08-28-2003, 05:55 AM

Lucian, please read my thread from a week or two ago, "hopefully helpful for premeno. osteopenia." I, too, am diagnosed with osteopenia, am 41, premenopausal, with T scores worse than yours. This worried me too, but after talking with my doctor I now understand that DEXA scans in healthy premenopausal women can indicate results for a postmenopausal woman, as the test is designed for postmenopausal women. You are still in the bone-building stage of life. That is good! My doc said you build bone until age 30, and then level off. She said my lack of bone density, as long as all of my labs turn out normal, is likely simply due to not reaching maximum average bone density for a 30 year old due to poor diet, calcium, etc. etc. over the years. She recommended just concentrating on maintaining bone density that I currently have. You on the other hand still have time to build good bone. It is good that you found this out so early. Concentrate on good diet with a calcium supplement with minerals and vit D, and regular weight-bearing exercises. If your doctor suggests medication to help build the bone, GET A SECOND OPINION! Hope this helps.