,@katwhisperer, @ripley ,@gently, TBS info- I think you already know the TBS test is just an extra software connected to the DEXA . It just a matter of touching a another button to provide that extra information. It's my understanding it has to be an upgraded DEXA machine to have that capability. Though I' ve seen a few references on here that stated something about taking the DEXA information and doing some kind of interpretation to get the TBS info, I do not believe that's accurate. I stand corrected if that's true.
Keep in mind Bone Strength =Density (DEXA)+Bone Quality (TBS) Trabecular Bone Score-ie. quality of the inside of the vertebrae
AS for the test results-you should always ask the lab worker or your physician to have the complete read out of the DEXA and TBS as there's info on those sheets that is more comprehensive than just getting the numerical data.I received 4 total pages of info. Page 1&2 had the regular DEXA stuff-Pg 1 a picture of L&R femoral necks and corresponding numerical data. Pg2 gives a picture and numerical DEXA values of the L1-L4 spine.
NOW as for the TBS-What's considered the Quality of the spinal bones- 2 pages
Page 1 There's 4 items of info highlighted
#1-TBS MAPPING-a color shaded picture of L1-L4, on a continuum from dark red to orange/yellow to dark green. Red= low ,poor TBS continuing to green high ,very good TBS. So you actually see your vertebrae shaded in with the varying colors and get an idea of how much of one color versus another you have.
#2 TBS Spine Results -that gives an overall numerical value that denotes the quality of the microarchitecture (trabecular) of the spine putting you in one of the 3 ranges: Normal-Partially Degraded-Degraded
#3 Fracture Risk Assessment-a color coded grid that places your score where you fall concerning fx risk
#4 Therapeutic Decision Tools-that has 2 grids of info
a-The Frax 10 yr probability of fracture: It compares fx risk and then an adjusted fx risk with the TBS info included.
b-The BMD T Score- that compares your DEXA-T scores alone, and then with the TBS factored in

Page 2 -there are two items
#5 -Detailed Spine Results -this gives the TBS of each individual vertebra L1-L4,then there are many other values , these give values from one vertebra to another . For example, on mine after the individual values are given then there's a L1-L4 value. That means they have taken the vertebrae from L1 to L4 and calculated what that actual TBS is. Then the grid shows some of these values. L1-L4(L3) that means they calculate the value from L1 to L4 but subtract out the L3 vertebrae value, etc.. So there are many combinations shown.
#6- is Conclusion-where a discussion of the info is captured.
#7 Notes and References-I guess it's the sources where and how they came up with these ideas that support the TBS test.
I hope that was helpful!!
Even though I had already had a spine fx I wanted it just to understand it better and get a clearer view of my situation. So my overall score, to give clarity, was TBS L1-L4=1.234, which put me .004 above degraded as degraded is 1.23. So though I came out as Partially Degraded can you see how I am at the extreme edge of that range.
Go out and get the test if you feel like you want or need to have more information. I did a lot of work to find a place and get this done, but for me it was worth it. Good luck!!