Had a DEXA scan last week

This was my second one in 4 years. Last one was in 2006/7 just before we moved back south. At that point in time, there was no evidence of any issues.

Four years later, only a bit over 8 months out from surgery, I apparently do have issues. Now, I don't think it's because of the surgery but is being exacerbated by the surgery.

Here is what it said:



So other than the obvious of keeping my Vit D up where it is now (over 100) and taking calcium, what else can I do?

Liz

Liz
Weight bearing exercise is also very helpful in maintaining bone strength.

Wonder if toting moving boxes around, hauling lumber in and out of the house for various projects...all count as weight bearing????

Thanks, Eliza.

I agree that toting boxes and hauling stuff is weight bearing.  I couldn't envision doing it for my exercise on a long term baisis

Oh, believe me, I don't plan on it being a long term routine but for now, it's taking the place of my regular exercise, LOL

Liz,
The bottom is kind of cut off, do they not want you to have a follow up for 2-3 years?  I have one every year now, and have never had any problems.  I think I would want another one sooner to be able to tell if it was getting worse.

Did your doctor recommend you taking something in addition to your Vitamin D and calcium?  A prescription of some kind.  My mom takes something, can't remember the name of it.  My sister has osteopenia also, but I'm not sure if hers is where she has to take anything yet.

Linda

Linda, apparently there is a scroll bar on that photo...yes, the recommendation is a follow up unless otherwise indicated of 2-3 years...my pcp recommends a maximum of 2 years between scans so I'll probably get one then and not as far out as three.

Liz

Hi Liz,

I was going to post my DEXA Scan results last week, but never got around to it. I had a baseline done last year, prior to surgery. Here are my results after ONE YEAR:

PROCEDURE: Lumbar spine (L1-L4), total left hip and femoral neck
bone mineral density (BMD) were calculated using a Dual Energy
X-ray Absorptiometry Hologic machine. For each BMD value, a
Z-score representing the number of standard deviations of the
patient's BMD from the expected age, gender and race-matched
cohort and a T-score representing the number of standard
deviations of the patient's BMD from the average peak BMD in a
white 30-year-old gender-matched group was derived.

According to WHO Classifications, osteopenia is defined as a
T-score between but excluding -1.0 and -2.5; osteoporosis is
defined as a 'T' score of -2.5 or below. This classification may
only be applied to post menopausal women and probably men over 50.

Comparison Date of exam: June 15, 2010

SPINE BMD = 1.037 g/cm2
SPINE T-SCORE = -0.1
SPINE Z-SCORE = 1.2
significant change in SPINE BMD = -11.9 %

TOTAL HIP BMD= 1.009 g/cm2
TOTAL HIP T-SCORE = 0.5
TOTAL HIP Z-SCORE = 1.4
significant change in TOTAL HIP BMD = -12.1 %

FEMORAL NECK BMD = 0.753 g/cm2
FEMORAL NECK T-SCORE = -0.9
FEMORAL NECK Z-SCORE = 0.3
significant change in FEM NECK BMD = -9.6 %

Study quality is good and analysis is technically adequate.

** IMPRESSION **:
1. Bone mineral density calculated for the LUMBAR SPINE is
statistically Normal.

2. Bone mineral density calculated for the TOTAL HIP is
statistically Normal.

3. Bone mineral density calculated for the FEMORAL NECK is
statistically Normal.

So, after one year, I have significant decreases in all three testing areas

I have all the risk factors:

post- menopausal

off estrogen since surgery

100 lb weight loss in the past year

petite and less than 132 lbs

taking a PPI, which may affect the absorption rate.

I am doing all the right things, strength training, walking, taking 1500 mg/day of calcium citrate, 10,000 u of Vit D, and I still had significant bone loss during the past year.

Here is the response of my bariatric internist:

"So BEFORE menopause in the perimenopause period you lose 2% a year from the spine and 1% from the hip.
THis accelerates greatly after 1. menopause. In addition you have 2. WEIGHT loss (decreased weight bearing) and also 3. decreased absorption. 4. Your genetics will also play a role
We know RYGB is a risk factor for osteoporosis (not clear data on the sleeve gastrectomy yet but presume the risk is increased) but this risk is not quantified in studies so I cannot give you numbers.
With these fours factors above I would recommend another study in a year.

Treatment for thinning bones that are normal is not recommended since it will cause BRITTLE (not thin but over calcified )bones in the long run. Apart from what you are doing I'm not sure there is anything more to do. (apart from estrogen). I would however run this by your primary care provider when they get back. At this stage from our point of view estrogen is safe for your sleeve . It does have other side effects you will need to review with "



Estrogen is out of the question, because of side effects, and I have A-Fib.

I plan on increasing my weight bearing exercise ie: going up and down stairs, some jogging (if I can tolerate it), and look at Vita Lady's recommendations, since she has had issues with osteoporosis.

dance, jumping, resistance training, jogging, step aerobics are all supposed to be helpful.

Spend some time Googling the topic. There are many suggestions available.

Gail

I have all the risk factors:

post- menopausal

off estrogen since surgery

100 lb weight loss in the past year

petite and less than 132 lbs

taking a PPI, which may affect the absorption rate.

I am doing all the right things, strength training, walking, taking 1500 mg/day of calcium citrate, 10,000 u of Vit D, and I still had significant bone loss during the past year.

I am post menopausal
Never took estrogen
Didn't lose 100 lbs but lost a very significant amount
On the upper end of petite
On a PPI and have been for about 10 years
My vit D was in the toilet for years...this last time was the first time it has been over 40. I take 50,000 D3 daily and every other day, I add a second D3 for a total of 100,000. Last reading was 157. So twice a day was too much, once a day on vit D3 and it stayed in the upper 30's.

Liz

I had mine 2 weeks ago.  I haven't received a copy of the results, but the NP at my bariatric practice called me with the results.

Mild osteopenia in the right femur.  Continue calcium supplementation and weight bearing exercise.

Honestly, I wasn't expecting much different considering my diet history and the lack of calcium (vitamins and minerals) in my diet.

It is definitely a motivator for me.