It's all so confusing! I had a Zoom with my new endo this week and requested a TBS - but she says she can't just order that up, usually the radiologist does it only in severe cases where they need more info. I had read that the patient has to pay for the TBS which is just an add-on program to the DXA, so I don't know why there would be a problem. I am especially interested in the quality of the bone, which presumably the TBS would be the major resource to gain.
I'm happy to get an Echolight, however, which you also have to pay for, $280. I especially like the 5-year risk of fracture feature, since I'm 86. She at first seemed baffled by the Echolight mention, but then said she remembered hearing about it. I can get all the scans I want, she says, but the fact is that I fractured my femur, the heaviest strongest bone in my body, in falling over a case of wine while moving quite fast. It seemed like a good argument for medication, but I don't want to take any if I don't absolutely have to. I also have hematology issues, Factor 5 and MGUS, which argues against Prolix, etc. She suggested Reclast, yearly infusion. I hate infusions; my veins are tiny, wiggly and they collapse in infusions. After reading some of the reactions here, I seriously don't want to take it. Getting a second DXA soon and we'll see where calcium, D with MK-7, weigh-lifting and exercise have gotten me.
Plan C is a consult with Keith McCormick of GREAT BONES.