No calcium 48 hours before DEXA Scan

GramE

I just made a follow up DEXA appointment (previous one was 2 years ago) and was told to not take or eat anything with calcium for 48 hours before the exam.    Anyone ever heard of this?     

BTW, by the way, I have had at least 10 scans since I am 65 years old and this seems a bit odd to me.   The appointment maker said she was told to tell this to anyone making a DEXA appt.

Nancy 

peggy_j

The "no calcium" rule sounds vaguely familiar. (unfortunately, I don't have my trusty medical notebook with me). I googled "dexa scan prep" and the first hit listed "no calcium" in the prep. (I know nothing about this website but FYI)

http://www.ithacarad.com/dexascanprocedure.htm

sflow

Yes, I recall I was given the same instructions, but no diet modifications.

cycle-path

No one said a word to me about this at any of my DEXA scans. I've had 4.

I saw a web site that said not to take any calcium supplement, but nothing about ingesting normal dietary calcium. And it said this: The DEXA scan should not be scheduled within one week following a nuclear medicine study, IVP, or contrast enhanced CT scan, or for one month following a barium test. No one ever asked me about that stuff either. 

otter

I've also had 4 DEXA scans, at 2 different medical facilities; and each time, the instructions I was given said I should not take calcium supplements during the 24 (or 48?) hours leading up to the scan.  Normal dietary calcium was okay, but I was supposed to avoid anything with a high concentration of calcium.

I just googled "DEXA x instructions x calcium," and the rule about avoiding calcium is pretty common; e.g.:

http://www.fchn.org/fmh/advanced-technology/dexa

http://www.osteopenia3.com/dexa-scans.html

http://www.ehow.com/how_5618524_prepare-dexa-scan.html

OTOH, here's a discussion that suggests the instructions don't always include a prohibition on calcium supplements:  http://www.healthboards.com/boards/archive/index.php/t-572620.html

Maybe it's one of those things that medical staff continue to recommend even though there's no solid evidence that it's necessary... kind of like "nothing to eat or drink after midnight" when your surgery isn't scheduled until after mid-morning.

otter

ruthbru

I've had several (the last one being two weeks ago) and no one ever told me that, or gave me any other restrictions either. I guess they will all be consistant anyways as I always take calcium suppliments!

dlb823

I've also had 2, and no one ever mentioned not taking calcium supplements or eating calcium rich foods.  In fact, my most recent one (last summer) was totally spur of the moment when my PCP learned I'd broken my jaw in 2 places in a nasty fall while on vacation, and she immediately sent me for a Dexascan.

I'll have to read your links Otter to see what the concern's been about.  But hopefully, as you said, it may be an old recommendation for which there's no scientific basis.    Deanna 

otter

Deanna, most of those links just say "Avoid calcium supplements" or "Do not take calcium supplements" in the day(s) leading up to the scan.  They don't explain why.

Of the links I posted, the "Heathboards" discussion is the most interesting.  Someone noted that it didn't make sense to prohibit ingestion of calcium supplements for 48 hours -- how would the calcium interfere with the DEXA results for that long???  Someone else -- an imaging tech, I think -- said she thought the prohibition was because a clump of calcium sitting in the stomach could obscure the spinal vertebrae... but others said that wasn't likely to happen.  There was the same mix of "avoid" vs. "never mentioned it" that we see in this thread; but in the end, nobody could explain why ingesting a couple of calcium citrate or carbonate pills would mess up the DEXA imaging.

Hey, I know!  Let's all agree to ask our imaging techs the next time we have a DEXA scan!

otter

GramE

Thanks for the input on this.    My appt is next Friday, the 13th, so we will see what the tech has to say once I get there.    

crazy4carrots

I've had 3 scans since 2008 and avoiding calcium (dietary or supplement) prior to was never mentioned to me.  I'll be interested to hear what your tech says, GramE!

cycle-path

And what about this? The DEXA scan should not be scheduled within one week following a nuclear medicine study, IVP, or contrast enhanced CT scan, or for one month following a barium test.

While I think I was past all these dates when I had my DEXA, it was only by a few days. And no one said a word to me about any of this! I'd had several nuclear medicine/contrast enhanced procedures in the month before the DEXA.

GramE

My test is scheduled for this Friday - will try to clarify and report back then.

otter

cycle-path, the "contrast agents" they use for IVP, contrast CT, and barium, would (could) end up obstructing the view for the DEXA scan. 

When the machine and the tech calculate bone density and scores for a DEXA scan, the tech has to be able to see the edges of the vertebrae and the hip joint very clearly, and the machine has to be able to calculate how much of the X-ray beam passed through the bones at those places.  Anything that's in the tissues between the head of the DEXA scan machine and the bones being examined will prevent some of the X-rays from getting through. 

The usual suspects are metal zippers, belt buckles, ... oh, maybe secret hardware some people wear in their belly buttons or elsewhere... that sort of stuff. Having metallic items in the path of the X-rays will really mess up the DEXA scan.  But IVP contrast medium in a ureter or the bladder, or barium in the lower intestine (etc.), will interfere with the results too.  A "nuclear medicine study" involves injection of stuff that emits radiation, which would be picked up by the receiver end (the actual or digital X-ray "film") as a bright area -- once again, really messing up the ability to view the bones and calculate their density.

otter

cycle-path

That makes sense to me, otter. What doesn't make sense to me is why no doctor has ever told me I shouldn't have the DEXA until a certain amount of time after these other procedures. As I said, I think I was past the recommended dates for all these with my last DEXA, but not by a lot! And no one said a word.

GramE

I had my DEXA yesterday (Friday) asked the Tech/Nurse why no calcium and why never mentioned before this scan.   She replied that they can actually see clumps of calcium or calcium deposits and it could be a pill not completely disolved or something else, if that makes any sense.

Then I asked lotion, powder, deodorant makes a diffence and she said no.   Lotion, powder, etc is fine  BUT no injected contrast - dye or radioactive material, barium  - for at least 2 weeks before.   If I have to have these tests I want them to be as effective as possible and think the rest of you agree.   Therefore, this is important (MY opinion)...    Hugs, Keep Warm, Keep Happy, Nancy 

cycle-path

I agree that it's important! And what I want to know is why it's never mentioned to us!

mawhinney

This is my first visit to this forum. I'm surprised to learn of the no calcium supplements before a Dexa Scan recommendation. Have been having Dexa scans for years at various centers around the country and have never been told this. I plan to stop lmy calcium supplements  48 hrs before my scan next week. Will definitely discuss the no calcium policy with the doctors.

karen1956

I had a DEXA scan last week and was told the same thing no calcium 24 hours prior to bone density...this is my 5 scan in 5 1/2 years and first time I remember being told this...my last one was 12/2010.....so I guess thats long enough for the rules to change...and it this time, my scores tanked!!!

cp418

I've had 4 Dexa scans in the past and was never told this instruction - - only about clothing.  Frustrating........

jacee

I have had 2 dexa scans. Both times I was told no calcium supplements and questioned about any scans previously with contrasts. The first scan I had forgotten and had to be rescheduled because I had taken calcium. Nothing was mentioned about dietary calcium

crazy4carrots

GramE -- Have to take issue with what your tech told you about "clumps of undissolved calcium".  The Dexa doesn't measure the bone density in your digestive system ----'cause there isn't any!  And there's no way an undissolved clump of calcium would go straight to your bones.  How could it?

Still wondering what the reason is for the witholding of calcium supplements 48 hours prior. 

lago

I've had 2. 2nd one I was taking calcium. No one tole me not to either.

crazy4carrots

Answering my own question: 

 

Discontinue your ingestion of calcium supplements at least 48 hours before your scheduled DEXA scan. Increased calcium levels introduced by the use of calcium supplements can lead to inaccurate readings which can complicate the diagnosis of any bone problems that may be present.2Stop taking any medications you are currently using for osteoporosis (or for osteopenia, its precursor) on the day of your scan.

Read more: How to Prepare for a Bone Density Scan | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_2051966_prepare-bone-density-scan.html#ixzz1psQm4N4p 

 

But, I think this warning is a bit specious. 

financegirl

My DEXA scan is in two days.  My instructions also were no calcium supplements for 48 hrs prior to the test.

Megadotz

I just made my appointment for a DEXA scan.  I was told no calcium suplements for 48 hours -- this includes mutivitmins that have calcium.  Also no drugs used  to treat osteoprosis for the same period -- the scheduler went through a list of medications.  This is the same proactice where I've been having the  DEXAs done over the last decade -- the no calcum supplements have been the rule for most of that time.   The multi-vitamins with calcium and osteoporosis medications are a new  restriction since the last scan in 2010.    This is in conjuction with one of the Hopkins hospitals so I figure they're up to date with the latest standards.

purple32

Yes cycle path,

I was told  not within a week of nuclear tests and to get off the Ca for 2 days. I know that was an old post, but thought it might help someone else.

On a more recent note:

New info On taking CA supplements ?

Hi all,

A good friend of mine told me that she just heard on the news, a few nights ago that ALL CA. supplements have been determined to be useless and might as well be discarded !  She also said there was " some" SE!  What ? Kidney stones or more ?  She did not recall (Aaaargh!) 

Have any of you heard this ?  With the biosphosphates  having long term "bone SEs" , Ca. is  something I felt good about....but now ?

I would love  a link to this recent " News".

Thanks for any reply- esp. a PM as well.