REMS (Echolight) Scan - anyone?

@florarose, ScreenMyBones,us is in Naples FL and Miami/Brickell. I have had it done in Naples. Good luck!

Yes, at Osteostrong in Fort Myers. You have to make an appointment.

Try googling Echolight REMS scan

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

I had a REMS scan earlier this week at an Osteostrong location in Edina MN.
I am sharing a comparison of my DEXA from last year to this year's REMS below.

DEXA Nov 23 - - - REMS Nov 24
Spine -3.4 - - - Spine -3
Total Hip -2.8 - - - Right Femur Total -3.3 Trochanter -2.8
Femoral Neck -2.7 - - - Left Femur Total -3.5 Trochanter -3.3
(notice that the REMS tests both hips and looks at slightly different areas than the DEXA, and DEXA tests only the right hip)

REMS 5 year risk of Major Osteoporotic Fracture 3.5 - 6%
REMS 5 year risk of Hip Fracture 3 - 5%
FRAX 10 year risk of Major Osteoporotic Fracture 21.2%
FRAX 10 year risk of Hip Fracture 8.3%

I find this really interesting. The T-scores are better in my spine and worse in my hip. Comparing apples (REMS) to oranges (FRAX), there is no way to know whether that is true change or not. But I must say I like that the fracture risk is a 5 year estimate, instead of a 10 year. And since my bone strength is considered in my REMS estimates, not my density, I like my chances of not fracturing in the next five years, and feel good about putting off decisions about whether to medicate or which medicines to use. I meet with my doc in February and will discuss these results with her, and I will consider paying for another FRAX, altho the REMS was $280-ish and my limited income does not really allow for another test this month. Insurance will not pay for another FRAX until next November 2025.

My immediate plan is to continue with my weights and walking, and to further fine tune my diet. My decision is specific to my own N of 1. I don't mean to suggest choices for anyone but myself.
Added note: It's so challenging to format this text to make it easy to read and understand. I did try, but my layout is changed in the publishing, and un-fixable in edit.

@mlwh Thank you for sharing your report info, this is very helpful. I've heard of DEXA and REMS, but can you please explain what the FRAX test is and is it something that is commonly done? Do you need to ask your doctor to add it to a REMS or DEXA?

Thanks!

@lilacs777 FRAX is a probability of fracture score often given with your DEXA results. Or at least, it often comes with MY DEXA results. FRAX means Fracture Risk Assessment Tool. If you do not get this assessment, you can take your own T-scores, and use an online calculator to find your 10 year risk score. If you have a TBS (Traebecular Bone Score) done by your DEXA provider, you can plug that score into your FRAX calculation. Just google FRAX assessment tool.

I misspoke at the end of my message and said FRAX when I meant repeating my DEXA, which I would have to pay for. Sorry for the confusion. I can't edit that response anymore, so my apologies to all who I have confused, and may continue to confuse!

Thank you @mlwh , I appreciate the explanation!

I was able to find a REMS scan practitioner in Massachusetts. She was very informative and spent a lot of time with me explaining my results. It turns out that I am not as fragile as my latest DEXA scan led me to believe I was!
Her name is Dr. Suzanne Gosselin if anyone is interested. Here is her site:
https://www.harborhealthgroup.com/#hhg