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Should I pursue a TBS score?
Hi all: my first post, although been lurking a while. What a terrific forum and kind group of people! I've read a few articles touting the growing value of TBS as a complementary tool to DXA, given its ability to measure bone strength. Wondering if anyone here had it done and if it yielded insightful results?
My first baseline DXA this past spring yielded -3.0 (back). Tymlos was recommended since I have major dental issues. I am 55, extremely fit with 35+ years of daily weight training and fairly high protein/clean eating - but am small framed. Could my bones be low density but stronger than avg thru decades of weight bearing exercise? Perhaps if my bones WERE stronger, even though less dense, I could maybe stall starting on these pharma solutions for a year or two?
I asked my PCP: he never heard of TBS. My rheumotologist dismissed it: didn't feel it would change his recommendations. Neither seems to want to write an RX for another DXA.
The facility for my 1st DXA can't do TBS or I'd just have them add it. No one will add a TBS score to an existing DXA unless it was done at their facility- and I need an RX to get a new DXA.
I was slated to start Tymlos this month. Do you think it's better to pause, find a new doc willing to write a DXA RX and see what the TBS reveals, before committing to a lifetime regimen of drug therapy (I have no clue what I'll be able to take after Tymlos, given my dental problems, which worries me.)
Any opinions most welcome! 🙂
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Maybe you can post what you find out when you get the results of the TBS. Thanks!
If it changes the diagnosis it changes the treatment.
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2 ReactionsThanks to all who brought the TBS information to our attention. Sadly, I have not been able to locate a reliable source for this test in my area. I wish I could have as I'm having a DEXA scan this month in anticipation of an appointment with my endocrinologist in early Jan.2023. Also, thanks to those who mentioned Dr. Loren Fishman as I found his book very helpful.
Here is a link to find facilities that so TBS
http://www.medimapsgroup.com/-
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2 Reactionsi just joined the Bone Coach program which is absolutely amazing. Its hard to even describe what you get in the program. They have 5+ functional medicine coaches, a nutritionist, stress management, daily live Zoom calls, hundreds of videos, theyve broken it down to 3 areas, Identify (the underlying causes), Nourish (dietary), and Exercise. They break down what you need in lab testing, interpreting the tests, bone strengthening exercises, nutrion, supplements,,,, the list is exhaustive
I had no idea when i signed up the amount of information you get. It is expensive but incredibly worth it. it is a way to avoid taking medication, learning everything about bones, and building bone strength. This summary doesnt do justice to what they have. Its like going to bone college!! Kevin Ellis is the founder of Bone Coach. He was diagnosed Osteoporosis at age 30
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1 ReactionThank you so much for the link! I have gone to the website and found it very helpful. It's hard to pursue treatments when your docs don't seem to know about them.
Only endocrinologists and rheumatologists have been trained in osteoporosis and even then they need to be younger to have been trained. Yet so many primaries and gynecologists treat it. Finding the right doctor is not easy.
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2 ReactionsDo they have any clinical studies showing the results of the bone coach program?
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2 ReactionsI’m not sure it really works that way you’d have to see the amount of content they have to understand what they have to offer it’s hard to describe how much they have. Each person then has a choice to use as much or as little as they’d like. They have a PhD physical therapist for example that worked for the osteoporosis foundation for years and has her own Pilates for osteoporosis who teaches bone strethening exercises what’s safe what’s not safe, along with a nutritionist, a woman’s health functional medicine practitioner, and several other coaches it’s hard to explain unless you see it for yourself. When I try to describe it to other people it’s always inadequate
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1 ReactionThis Bone Coach program sounds like it would be something that could be very helpful. I was interested to see that they have "functional medicine" specialists among their coaches. I'm wondering if you or anyone else reading this message has had experience with functional medicine doctors. If so, I'd be interested in knowing your experience as I've been thinking about looking into this approach.
Thank you for this info.
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