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?
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I trust my REMS scan more, since it measures bone quality and microarchitecture as well as density. Plus it’s safer ( no radiation)
DEXA is useful, but its ties to the pharma system make me cautious.
I’ll be interested to hear how your next scan turns out.
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4 ReactionsWell, I hope it all works out for you — thank you for sharing your experience.
Keep lifting weights stay strong
@marynh My TBS scores is very similar to yours. I'm curious if you've been able to improve your TBS scores with any medication? Have you ever fractured? My TBS came as a big surprise since I though I only had osteopenia on the verge of osteoporosis.
@soggybones It was the TBS score that prompted me to see an Endocrinologist and I am taking Alendronate daily. My next annual DEXA is May 2026.
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1 Reaction@marynh Sorry, I forgot to add that I have not fractured.
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1 Reaction@marynh I'm glad you haven't fractured (neither have I...at least I don't think so). Best of luck with your next DEXA scan! I hope you see some improvement in your score!
69YO active F. My DEXA scores were very low (severe osteoporosis) and my endo refused to include TBS scores with it. I then got a REMS test and I was mild osteopenia. I then got another DEXA from another provider with TBS. DEXA scores are still terrible (and comparable to the first, even though all factors — machine, technician, radiologist--were different from the original scan), but my TBS scores were very good. So no clue what to believe.
@dancinintherain My situation is different. My dexa was good but my Rems was bad. However, Rems includes the quality of your bone which improves your score. The quality of my bone was excellent. Which one to believe?
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1 Reaction@dvargo Yeah, that is the question.
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1 ReactionWhen I was first diagnosed with severe OP, it was with a DXA only. I had trouble believing it because I am healthy and active. TBS was not offered and the technician had never heard of it.
I found a different place where I could have another DXA ( about 14 months later) and they also had the TBS add-on.
I desperately wanted the TBS to show that my bone quality was good, but alas, the second DXA showed even worse numbers and the TBS showed degraded bone.
After that, I made the decision to start Tymlos.
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