I’ve used DexaFit in the past several years for my DEXA scans. Here in the SF Bay Area for about $40-$50/per scan. They appear to have locations around the country.
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My scans have always been covered by insurance. Started them before 60 (can’t remember exactly when).
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My gyn encourages her patients to get a DEXA at age 60. I don’t remember how much I paid OOP, but it wasn’t an amount that gave me pause. She told me as a 60+ white woman with maternal history of osteoporosis, it would almost definitely show some osteopenia, and not to freak about that. My scores came back normal for hip and spine and very low amount of osteopenia for neck. Doc was impressed and I was thrilled, but still concerned about the future health of my bones - especially after reading this thread! This is what keeps me running once or twice a week even though it is not so easy these days, and being good about attending my strength training class!
I have also had a coronary calcium score test due to my cholesterol levels tipping into “high” category and paternal history of heart disease. Insurance did not cover the cost and I think I paid $90 - well worth it! My score was zero which means no sign of heart disease and very low risk of heart attack, so the cardiologist said I did not need a statin - yeah! But I was curious about question raised above by @HMom16 regarding any correlation between calcium intake and the calcium in artery plaque. From a quick internet search, it seems evidence is inconclusive at this point - but some studies have found an increased risk for those who take calcium supplements so meeting daily calcium needs from foods is recommended if possible. I don’t take a calcium supplement and given the results of these 2 tests along with my diet and exercise, I don’t plan on starting at this point.
Best wishes to all of you who are struggling with bone loss and how to proceed!
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A Dexscan is something I’m very interested in, but at 51 it looks like I’ll be waiting awhile longer. According to that website, the one closest to me is only 330 miles away!
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I don’t know at what age scans are recommended to begin, but I would think that it should vary based on medical history. History of cancer treatment, hysterectomy, early menopause, steroid treatment, etc will influence the rate of bone degradation.
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Not sure why I got mine when I did. My mother did have osteoporosis and I was treated at one point with hormones (for endometriosis). The place where I went also did mammograms, so I was able to schedule them together and kill two birds with one stone.
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I don’t remember exactly how old I was when my OB/GYN recommended a dexa for “baseline” - but I think no later than 55. No family history but I did have an earlyish menopause (with no complications).
I would recommend that anyone just ask your PCP. Or do a check on your health insurance app/website to see what they show as far as coverage.
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I also had dexa in my 50s. Similar to others here, had some risk factors (medical history, thin bones, etc.)
I asked the question about what age to get a dexascan because my PCP said 65 but so many of you obviously had them much earlier.
In doing some reading ( thank you to those posting helpful links) I don’t have any risk factors. 65 just seems late.
This has been very interesting to read. I never had a thought about bone density problems. I come from good eastern European peasant stock and I am sure that my skeleton weighs more than my cousins who seem to descend from other ancestors–we call one another the big people and the little people. But during my post-covid experience, I was treated with so many steroids–a ton of Prednisone on and off for three years and IV steroids when I was in the hospital x2–that my bone density test last summer indicated osteoporosis. The only positive score was Femoral Neck L, Tscore -2.5, Zscore -0.4. I’ve been taking Fosamax for several months now, as prescribed by my rheumatologist.
I have a tooth that really should be pulled. Reading your remarks here, I made an appointment to see the rheumatologist next week (yay, MyChart!) to discuss before I go any further with dental issues. Fortunately I have no pain in my mouth nor apparent side effects from Fosamax. I can see that I have more research to do before my appointment.
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For the record I am not that thin, small boned woman. My background is Mediterranean. No other health issues but osteoporosis for sure!
I started getting Dexas in my early 50s and I get them every two years. During the years of infertility and pregnancy I spent extensive amounts of time on bedrest and on meds that deplete bone. Then toss in breast cancer and aromatase inhibitor treatments — and there’s reason to be concerned about bone loss.
My dexas are almost always done on the same machine. There can be variability from machine to machine that we try to avoid.
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I’m now on Evenity, after breaking my wrist last September. I barely fell, so it showed how brittle my bones are, even though my numbers didn’t qualify me for this.
Years ago I was on fosamax and years later, actonel. If only……
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What’s your if only? It’s interesting to know what people think when they view things through hindsight. Would you have done something differently?
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This article was sent to me today. It is one of many articles that detail fracture risk when Prolia is discontinued. (The longer we are on it, the greater the rebound). The article also points out risk from oral bisphosphonate breaks, but IV bisphosphonates (Reclast) does better, probably because it coats the bones more thoroughly and also because it stays in the body 10+ years. If anyone ends Prolia treatment, especially after more than 3 shots, IV Reclast is apparently the only way to stay safe.
Can we withdraw treatment in post-menopausal osteoporosis? (msn.com)
I had a 20% dose of Reclast two days ago, with an hour of IV hydration and a whole hour (very slow) infusion of the med. I still have a fever and am sick. Will I do it again? Yes absolutely. Otherwise I lose my Tymlos and Evenity gains. Fractures are very motivating.
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No, but I do worry about the side effects. I try to take as few meds as possible.
The Evenity shots don’t hurt, and I’ve had no reactions.
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add me to the osteoporosis clan. Had my first DEXA and my femoral neck is -2.5, lumbar spine is -2.7.
Crazy. I am small (5’2" and 108 lbs) but I’ve run and done pilates and lifted weights my entire adult life with only very few breaks while pregnant or during some minor surgeries. I run 25-30 miles per week and do pilates twice a week and lift three times a week until exhaustion.
My doc has ordered a CBC to see if there are any other indicators of why my bone density might be low. I’m 57 and did go through menopause in my late 40s and never has any estrogen replacement because I didn’t feel like any symptoms warranted it. She agreed to let me take my blood tests to an endocrinologist that she recommends but wow I really do not want to take any meds after reading a lot of this thread!
I’ve never had a broken bone!
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At that age I would totally resist taking any of these drugs (that is what I have been doing for the past several years - starting at around the same age). They can do some tests that measure how your body processes calcium and vitamin D to make sure that isn’t the problem.
Even with a low bone density measurement, the doctors are supposed to take into consideration your risk factors and never having broken a bone is a key one.
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Can’t say “welcome to the club” but “welcome to the thread!”
Lots of info here. I learned to filter some of it. Because we are all different including our bodies and medical/health situations. Osteo isn’t a one size fits all situation.
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thanks! I can ask the doctor about tests like that. Makes sense. I did the FRAX spreadsheet and I have an 8.8 percent chance of a major osteoporatic event in the next ten years and 1.8 percent chance of a hip fracture. That seems really low. My OBGYN (the only one who has seen these scores so far) said she thinks taking D and calcium and lifting more isn’t quite enough but I’m hoping the endocrinologist will be a little more flexible.