Bone Density test question

Jean...This is how Bone Density Test (Called Dexa) looks like.

There is no injection or prep needed. it only takes about 15 minutes.

You can have a pillow under your head if you are not comfy flat.

I had 2 of them already, because Im on Femara.

Good luck to you.

Sheila

Yes, this will be the easiest, most stress-free and pain-free test you could have.  Much easier than a blood draw.  Even easier (IMHO) than a regular X-ray, because you probably won't have to take off any clothes (maybe just move your belt buckle).

The picture shows a DEXA bone density scan.  That's the gold standard for bone density testing.  I've had 3 of them, and will have my next one this summer.  They have you lie on a table with a foam support under your leg(s) or against your foot (depending on which area they're scanning).  The arm-thing shown in the picture moves slowly over the area being scanned, and then you're done.  Usually, they scan the lower spine and the "hip" (head and neck of the femur on one side).

The machine prints out the results, which will be interpreted by a radiologist or by your doc.  (It's not rocket science -- the computer in the machine does all the hard work.)

The only thing I've been told to do/not do is to skip my calcium supplements on the day of the exam.  I don't know if that really matters.

otter 

Had one done on the 16th of Feb. Piece of cake, but results came back with low bone bone density in my back. Could be that I've had this for a long time, could be that I have only recently started having this since Chemo-pause sometimes causes this. I also did some research and found out that age, 47, cheomo. and radiation can also so cause this. I just started taking a weekly pill. I went with the weekly pill because the monthly ones do not have a generic available yet and the cost was much higher for me. The pill requires you to get up, take the pill and drink 8 ox. of water. You can not lay down after taking the pill for 1/2 an hour. I noticed no side effects  yesterday as this was the first time I took the pill. 

Just my experience. Good luck and here's hoping that your results come back great.  

How does this differ from a bone scan?

No calcium supplements that day. If you want to be able to keep your own clothes on then don't have any metal closures from mid chest to knee. If you want to be able to avoid confusion by doctors who don't really know how to read DXA results (I'll be glad to rage about that for as long as you can bear - buyer beware!!!!!!!!!!!!) don't wear an underwire bra (they can be mistaken as ribs believe it or not). If you have had any spine surgery be sure to let them know. If you have a naval ring take it out.

Mostly, be prepared to realize that this is a much less useful test than most providers wish it was. We so love numbers and pictures. At the very least be sure that whoever is interpreting it for you runs your fracture risk through the FRAX program on line (you can do it yourself when you have the DXA results) realizing, again, that it takes into account only a few risk factors for fracture. Someone needs to do a good assessment including probably about 15 or more risk factors. (Let's just say that it takes me an hour to get a good risk assessment from someone.) Don't let anyone say that you've "lost bone" on your first DXA. They have nothing to compare it to so they can't say that with any honesty whatsoever.

Also request a urinary NTx test and that should be a collection of the second urination of the day with nothing to eat or drink and no exercise prior to the collection. Results should be in the lowish normal range. High means your bones are remodeling quickly with more chance of loss. Low (outright low) probably means you're on a bisphosphonate and have more risk of fracture from that. You're probably much better off following the NTx than the DXA over time. It takes a long time for bones to change and NTx will show changes more quickly. (Not to mention the problems inherent in comparing DXAs.)

Oh, sorry, I just can't help myself. It's just that this is one of those areas where people are led to put their health in the hands of people who don't know very much about it and it drives me crazy!!! Knowledge is power. Ask questions.

One thing you can look for - they determined that I had scoliosis (curvature of the spine), so back dexa scans aren't accurate.

They determined I was osteoporotic by scanning my forearm.

Be sure to ask your doc if you've ever had this problem