Any non fracture members?

@yds Recent studies have shown REMS scans to be not accurate. DEXA scans are not perfect, and the results vary by a few % on different machines, but they are the most accurate measurement we have today.

Since I have already had 3 REMS scans ( total cost nearly $1000!), I didn't want to believe REMS were not accurate either until I did more research on it.

Your -4.0 t-score is probably a lot more accurate assessment than your REM score.

btw: it is true that DEXA scores can vary, especially on machines by different manufacturers. That is why it is very important to get measured by the same machine, so you can see the trend.

Peer-reviewed studies showing the inaccuracies with REM scans:
Chan, D. C. C., Chen, W., Yabsley, E., & Pocock, N. (2026). Demographic determinants of REMS-derived BMD and fragility score. Osteoporosis International, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-026-07960-4

Bobelyak, M., Vaculik, J., & Stepan, J. J. (2025). Bone mineral density assessment using radiofrequency echographic multispectrometry (REMS) in patients before and after total hip replacement. Osteoporosis International, 36(1), 2237–2244. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-025-07685-w

Hey, Love, don’t psych yourself out! My osteopenia became porosis with my 2024 Dexa,& I have had no fractures. I’m now glad I’ve taken so long to figure out how to deal with it because EVERY friend I have who has tried infusions, injections, Prolia, Evenity,& what not are suffering huge “unexplainable” side effects. I’m seeing my first rheumatologist this week & treading VERY carefully with “treatment” ideas. I don’t think they know enough about it to keep throwing all these drugs at us based on the fear of fractures. Breathe🙏❣️

@gently
What about Orthopedic Surgeons, do they ever evaluate and treat bone loss? I would think they have to know something because older people are getting hip replacements, etc and they need to k ow the quality of your bones for surgery. But they are probably all focusing on cranking out surgeries and not meeting with patients regarding bone loss and treatment? I don’t know. Just wondering…I have the book Unbreakable by Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Vonda Wright, but haven’t read it yet. Wondering if anyone consults with Orthopedics for their bone loss?

@gently
Yes, 50 (or sooner) is recommended by those who give a damn like Keith McCormick. That way you can get a baseline for estrogen loss.

@cliffdweller
I think 50 is the recommendation for high risk people (family history, under 127 lbs) etc. but so few doctors know that. Then there so manny people living in high risk bodies that don’t know it because of undiagnosed health issues. Why not just do a baseline on everyone at 40? I had to really advocate for getting a DEXA at 50. And that’s with family history and being on Levothyroxine, and being thin (although my doctor never noticed that). I also had a DEXA at 36 after a freak incident. So I know I reached peak bone mass and that my bone loss from estrogen loss around menopause.

@cliffdweller

I am with you on this. I went through menopause almost over night with no symptoms other than loss of periods at 38. I should have been given a dexa then in my view. I agree with you that a blanket age for baseline at 40 sound good. Unless of course they don't want us to avoid osteoporosis or at least delay it or minimize it's effects.

@cliffdweller, orthopedic surgeons don't usually treat bone loss unless they have a patient with bone loss for whom they are planning surgery. They are usually focused not only on the surgical, but also on their specific subspecialty--neck, shoulder, spine, hip etc. We hear of patients having surgery without bone sufficient to hold hardware. Sometimes that is because of the urgency of a procedure. But it is a bit outside the surgical focus. Sometimes they are unwilling to prescribe and send a patient back to general orthopedics or back to an endocrinologist with instructions to return after six months of medication most commonly anabolic medication.
I saw one orthopedic surgeon who laughed that all of my calcium was in my arteries and none in my bones. She didn't advise or refer me.
I saw a spine surgeon who looked at my images and directly called in a PA to advise me on medications; I wasn't a surgical candidate and would be assigned to the PA.
You are probably better off with someone who specializes in osteoporosis (hard to find), but if you even wonder if surgery would help, it is good to see an orthopedic surgeon.
Some orthopedists perform palliative injections within their specialty.
Let us know about the book. I have the vague impression that Wright is all about muscle cross talk and bone strength.

I should have said “Orthopedics” rather than Orthopedic Surgeon ; guess I was thinking surgeon since I just had hip replacement. Also, it seems rare to ever be referred to orthopedics these days. Everyone makes you go to physical therapy first at those awful PT facilities that are now on every corner akin to mattress stores. I could not get an MRI for my hip (which was primary care thought was a labral tear) until I went to PT first. The PT caused more pain and wasted time. Sorry about your experience. No one should be treated like that. We are living in sad times…

@cliffdweller Sorry to hear about your experience with PT. Unfortunately since fee for service for physicians has gone away and insurance companies and the government have taken over health care, doctors have certain ways they have to practice to get paid for their service to include PT first. The patients and doctors do not win any longer, since it has become a business. There are still many doctors that do care, thankfully.

@gravity3 my c- telopeptide score is 928… my t scores are -2.7 all due to anastrozole for 4 years one more to go..everything else is good