Echolight sonogram scan for bones

@pennykj, I noticed that you wished to post a URL to an article with your post. You will be able to add URLs to your posts in a few days. There is a brief period where new members can't post links. We do this to deter spammers and keep the community safe.

Please allow me to post it for you:
- USF Osteoporosis program https://health.usf.edu/care/diabetes-endocrinology/services-specialties/calcium-bone

Ty kindly for spending so much time researching this 🥰!!! I'm seeing a Dr on 9/6 and will see if he has any insight as well. Yes, I thought the ride to Vero was too far, but wanted to mention it. Take care.

I tried to reach USF Health again since their web page clearly states REMS scans: "The Center provides bone imaging including DXA (Dual X-ray Absorptiometry) and REMS (Radiofrequency Echographic Multi Spectrometry) technology."

I believe I reached the correct "scheduler" but was not happy with the answer. In order to get a REMS scan, one of their physicians in their endochronology department would have to order it. In order to get an appointment with one of their endochronologists, one would need an internal referral from PCP at USF Health. At this time, they are not accepting external referrals to endochronology since about 300 people are on their waiting list.

I asked when I should call back and was told 5-6 months. I am guessing the wait will only get longer.

I am considering traveling to Sanford, NC or Wayne, NJ (by train/uber), but will wait until I meet with my Orlando doctor next week.

WOW, imagine that! We seriously need more attention paid to this disease. I'm thankful Mayo has helped with connect, yet we need better testing available, in order to make more informed decisions.

🤗

Wow. This is amazing. What is their motivation? Money? I can’t imagine the rational for having to go through their PCP.

As an update, I believe I had a positive visit with my osteoporosis specialist this morning who ordered a DXA with TBS and a DXA of my forearm, per my request. I will be getting the scans Friday morning at a facility about 5 miles from home. I asked about REMS and my doctor stated that she thinks that TBS is better than REMS. I will hold off going to NC to get an Echolight REMS scan until I get the new DXA TBS results and meet with my doctor in 2 months (who may now want me to go on Prolia because my bone resorption is high).

On 8/18/23, I had a DXA on a machine that provided me with TBS of my spine. Much to my disappointment my Trabecular bone score was -1.123, which is in the "degraded" range. I was hoping that, although my BMD is low, that my bone quality would be good. Because of this optimism, I searched for Echolight REMS. After receiving the TBS score, I am not as anxious to travel to another State to get a REMS scan.

On the other hand, although my hip BMD T scores were similar (around -2.5) on the new machine to those on the other machine from March 2023, my lumbar spine T scores were quite different. In March, on a Hologic machine at a women's radiology center where I have been a patient for years, my lumbar spine T score was -4.5 (up from -3.5 five years earlier). On August 18, 2023, on a GE Lunar Prodigy Primo DEXA Scanner at a women's imaging center connected to a local hospital and located in the same building as one of my osteoporosis doctor's offices, my lumbar spine T score was -3.8.

I do not what to make of the .7 difference in 5 months on 2 different machines. I am hoping that the March reading was inaccurate for some reason. Even though I have been increasing the amount and quality of my calcium intake since March, I really do not think my T score could have improved that much in 5 months.

We’re they calibrated on two different machines?

I have since heard that lumbar spine T scores on GE machines are about 12% greater than those on Hologic machines. That can explain most of the difference.

So many variables involved for us trying to make any meaningful conclusions. Going on medications for life, we need better standards, equipment, fracture risk assessments, knowledgeable physicians, etc...What we have now is a network of very kind and helpful individuals doing all they/we can to help others thru this minefield.

@pennykj, so happy you found a place to do the TBS score! Your hip score is good🥰. I too hope your lower score is accurate!!! I'll be doing the same as you on my next DEXA with the TBS included. I found this office in Vero Beach, as I mentioned before, so I'll be going there. In Dec 2022, (my 1st test in 9 yrs after having one in 2013) the results were: total hip -2.7, Lt femoral neck -2.8, L1-L4 -2.7 this was done locally at Cleveland Clinic. I'm 68. So much depends on the operator getting it placed correctly 😣 and like I said, so many variables...so I have no idea what the next test will show.

My story begins when I had a visit to my rhuematologist in Jan 23, after my dexa results in Dec (was so stressed abt all this and very uneducated on Osteo.) So I just took it all in. She sent me home with a list of meds, eat food with calcium *dairy ugh, exercise, she did a 24 hr NTX, never explained what it meant, just said she was surprised then off I went...come back in a year, ok?
I was lost! I've learned so much since that visit and will keep searching for Dr's that rather get to the bottom of our issues before throwing us on meds like Dr McCormick who really is the best and most thorough.

Video McCormick⬇️

Xo, Patty