AI, menopause and normal bone loss

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Momine
Momine Member Posts: 7,859
edited June 2014 in Bone Health and Bone Loss

I keep seeing references to the fact that it is normal to have quite a bit of bone loss in connection with the onset of menopause, but I can't find specific info on how great this loss usually is.

Does anyone know what the average T-score change during the first years of menopause is?

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  • doxie
    doxie Member Posts: 1,455
    edited February 2014

    It might be difficult to find that data.  Usually women get their first bone density scans a few years after menopause, or even much later.  Age 60 sticks in my mind.  Small boned women may get it sooner since they are more at risk, as I did, and/or depending on family history.  If treated for BC and taking an AI, a DEXA is ordered as a baseline to follow the impact of the AI treatment.   So we who are so blessed with BC may get our DEXAs much earlier than others.

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  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited February 2014

    Doxie, yes it is not readily available, which is what made me so frustrated, especially since there are plenty of references to it being fact.

    I dug a little more, and found one, large article that does seem to address the question: Bone Loss in Menopause

    If I am reading the graphs correctly, an annual loss of of about 2% (i.e. T-score going from 0.5 to 0.3, not 2% relative to what you started with) is expected for the spine (the hip loses a bit more slowly, it seems) in the early menopause years. If that is the case, I am actually doing OK, considering that I am also on an AI, since my spine started at -1.7 and after two years of menopause and AI it is at -2.0.

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  • Heidihill
    Heidihill Member Posts: 5,476
    edited February 2014

    i was told annual loss of 4% with femara which could be compensated for with zometa (for postmenopausal women).

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  • doxie
    doxie Member Posts: 1,455
    edited February 2014

    Looks like a good paper addressing the question.  My DEXA after 1.5 yrs on AI showed I had held steady. Spine and hip were at -.6 and femur at -1.6.  5 years earlier my femur was -1.5 and others -.3.   I  did have one zometa infusion.  My MO pulled back from doing those 2x a year.  For a while it looked like I would have to go to Tamoxifen, but I was able to manage an eye SE.  

    Hard to know what has worked, but I've significantly upped my Vit D and added running/bouncing 2-3x per week to my exercise.  I also lift weights and climb stairs.

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  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited February 2014

    Heidi, when you say 4%, do you mean as in T-score going from -1 to -1.4? If that is the annual average on femara, I am a champ in comparison.

    Doxie, good to know. I also work out a fair amount and lift weights.

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