Anyone get a Trabecular Bone Score jn addition to DEXA?

TBS is available on any DEXA that has special software. It measures homogeneity in trabecular as a measure of strength, There are medications like Prolia and Evenity which add bone to existing bone in the trabecular type of bone. Only two medications actually rebuild the cartilaginous framework within trabecular bone. So, you might also ask about Forteo or Tymlos. Forteo is often used for bones that are nsot healing, because it increases bone growth of the best kind. " Currently many United States physicians use Teriparatide [Forteo] “off license” for fractures and non-unions. "
I have a TBS score with every DEXA.

@gently
I am so thankful for this information. My health insurance allows a DEXA every two years only. So my next one is one year from now (last had it in 2024). I may have to wait but I am going to advocate for an exception at my appointment tomorrow. Again, thank you.

@osteocurious Your doctor can fill out a form for your insurance company to waive the two year policy, stating that a DEXA performed sooner is a medical necessity. This is a common practice. I have had mine done with six month intervals several times with no resistance from my insurance company (Medicare). Best wishes to you moving forward!

@osteocurious, Remember as @gently says not every Dexa has the capability for a trabecular bone score, my doctor had to request that too and I had to go to Orlando Health instead of Advent Health to find one that had that software.

@jennirdh Thank you. I am determined 🙂

@hollygs Wow. Thank you for the encouragement 🙂

@osteocurious I should have also mentioned that several people here have paid out-of-pocket and it hasn't been expensive. I don't know if the TBS is an additional cost. It's also good to know that it's considered best practice to have subsequent scans done on the same machine.

This is a website that helps you find a location. I hope there is one near you!
https://www.medimaps.ai/find-centers-with-tbs/

I've gotten a TBS on my DEXA (1.243, which means partially degraded, November 7th 2023) and also done a REMS density scan (December 3, 2024) which provides a fragility score for both hips in addition to the spine. I found both comforting. While my T-scores are low, both TBS and REMS fragility scores are not desperately concerning. From the REMS, my five year risks of fracture are Right Hip 3-5%, Left 3-5%, and Spine 3.5-6%. I am 72, strong, and work out daily, alternating walking and cardio machines with lifting. I'm totally good with these odds.