How do you read your scores?
Just to add to my original question. Here are my numbers, does anyone know how to read these? I asked my doctor but they just keep saying I am high risk. If I'm going to be seeing my test moving forward I want to be able to read em.
LUMBAR SPINE
T score: -1.7. L1-L4.
Z score: -1.7.
FEMORAL NECK LEFT
T-score: -3.2.
Z score: -2.1.
FEMORAL NECK RIGHT
T-score: -2.4.
Z score: -2.3.
TOTAL HIP LEFT
T score: -1.8.
Z score: -1.8.
TOTAL HIP RIGHT
T score: -1.6.
Z score: -1.6.
1/3 RADIUS
T score: N.A..
Z score: In PACS.
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Hi, Kay.
T score compares your bones to those of a healthy 30 year old. Z score compares your bones to a those of a person your own age.
A T score of less than -1 indicates osteopenia. A T score of less than -2.5 indicates osteoporosis.
When women have fractured bones or hardware in their bones the technician will measure distal 1/3 radius of their forearm because dxa (dexa) isn't accurate with fractured bones or implants. So they didn't measure the bone in your forearm.
You have the highest risk of fracture in the left femoral neck, followed by the right.
In your situation I would want to take Tymlos or Forteo until estrogen rises enough to maintain the new bone density numbers the medications will give you.
In my estimation these two medications restore the most integrated and the most resilient bone. It's possible that your medical provider will advise a drug that providers a lesser quality bone faster, thinking that it would give you more immediate fracture protection. If you give us their recommendation we'll toss it around for you because we have a lot of different opinion on this site.
Most of your bone recovery after depo will happen within 2 to 3 years of cessation even without an osteoporosis medication. You probably wouldn't consider waiting because of the meanwhile. And meanwhile don't be falling or engaging in activities that place extra stress on the femurs. There will be the time for that later. Engage in physical therapy with a PT versed in osteoporosis.
You might (meaning I would) ask for bone markers: CTX and P1NP and estrogen levels. It will give you monitoring on how well the medications are working and give you clues as to whether it is indeed the depo causing the osteoporosis. I would request on a dexa at six months and one year.
Ask us a lot of questions. Welcome to the party.
Depo Provera causes osteoporosis by reducing estrogen. Osteoporosis is largely reversible after stopping Depo.
https://www.nichd.nih.gov/newsroom/releases/bone_loss
Thank you so much for the information. I know my doctor is trying his best to keep me calm and not give me too much information to overwhelm me but having the this information makes me feel calmer. Guess I have a get out of cleaning the gutters card. 😂
kay, oh thank goodness you have a caring doctor.
You might start looking at medications. I'm partial to Forteo https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4880158/ or Tymlos. Especially for the results in the femur, but also because it builds the best bone. Most people take if for two years and by then your estrogen will probably be recovered and you'll have a good balance of bone for the estrogen to preserve.
No gutters, no ladders, lay back and laugh at the sun for a couple of years. Sounds good.