Has anyone had a rems bone scan or tbs bone scan?
I have poor dexa bone scan results, but have heard that rems scans and tbs (trabecular) bone scores can give you a better overall bone health picture. But both, especially rems are pretty new and I wonder if anyone has been able to have one and if their insurance accepts?
Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Osteoporosis & Bone Health Support Group.
I read McCormick's book and did a lot of other reading. Fortunately I never followed thru on three doctor's telling me to take Prolia. McCormick talks about big variances between the lowest and highest DEXA numbers possibly signaling a problem with the scan. I was also fortunate to be able to access an orthopedist who knew how to read a DEXA scan as well as offer a REMS. If there are other people on this thread who haven't listened to McCormick they might benefit from using the link you provided.
I'm an Osteostrong member in Minnesota (I was going to the Eagan location but just transferred to the new one in Edina). I believe the Echolight scans are open to the public. They're usually offered several times a year.
I’m contemplating going to osteostrong and check out their program. I’m osteoporosis per my last DEXA and was told I should be on drugs; however I’ve declined due to dental implant needed. But also I am wary of taking them. I was on prednisone 4 years ago so that didn’t help. I believe in nutrition and weight training but concerned about getting sucked in false claims. What improvements have you seen in your bones since you started with osteostrong?
I have been using AlgaeCal Plus and their AlgaeCal Strontium Boost formula for a couple years now after a DEXA showed I had moved from osteopenia to osteoporosis. Fortunately, my PCP doctor was familiar with it and agreed with my trying it. My first scan after taking the supplements (I also take D3 and Omega 3) for about a year showed no progression of osteopenia or osteoporosis. This last DEXA showed only osteopenia and no osteoporosis. I absolutely refuse to take Fosomax, etc. I am going for the Echolight scan in a couple weeks (Fort Collins, CO at FitRX gym).
I have had very good results from taking AlgaeCal Plus and AlgaeCal Strontium Boost. Went from osteoporosis back to osteopenia. I will have an Echolight REMS scan in a couple of weeks.
@jimr33
I have once scheduled in March, but my insurance will not pay for it. It will be out of pocket, but I want to know more about bone quality. A DXA scan does not do that.
I recently had my DEXA at park Nicollet in Burnsville and also received my TBS of 1.172. It also was on the hologic machine but this time there was no S/N listed. Since it could be a different machine, scores could be different than previous tests. I was able to find online locations in the area that have capability to do the TBS. Also, if you want a REMS, you can contact Osteostrong in Woodbury, Eden Prairie or Eagan. I go with the Dexa since they are well documented as a trusted source for measuring bone density.
Hi zaa, I was able to get a REMS scan at Osteostrong Edina, and found it helpful, but neither of my docs is at all interested. It showed a better spine score and slightly worse hip, but the fracture risk was dramatically less than through REMS. Glad I did this!
@mlwh
I have a REMS scheduled next month and like you, neither my rheumatologist nor my primary care has any interest in the results. They are DXA only so I’m doing it for myself.
@lhankins Same here. My endo ordered a DXA only. While having the scan done, the radiology tech told me about TBS scores, which this scanner was capable of producing. She said she couldn’t provide it without an order from the doc. A few weeks later, my endo agreed to add an order for a TBS score.
My TBS score paints a much better picture than just the DXA. But the endo isn’t really interested and said nothing about it would change her recommendation (Tymlos) .
Still not sure about Tymlos. But decided to book a REMS scan on my own. Scheduled for 2 weeks from now. Looking forward to seeing what it says.