Help understanding T score results

Posted by calirose @calirose, Nov 5, 2023

Hi, I am 70 years old, and was diagnosed with osteoporosis 2 years ago in lumbar spine. Other areas were OK or osteopenia. My spine T score was - 3.6 which worried my Dr so much she put me on Prolia (off topic but I had no side effects).
Two years later after Prolia and continuing all the diet and exercise recommendations, which I have done for decades, my lumbar spine t score was - 2.5 last week. (Other areas were apprx the same)
But on Fri. Night I got an email from my (new) Dr just saying that my osteoporosis had worsened and I needed to see a specialist. No other info or explanation.
I thought that score was an improvement?
What am I not understanding?
I cannot reach her until Wed. and am really stressing about this.

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I'm not an expert but I understand -2.5 is quite an improvement from your previous -3.5. I'd ask what numbers is he_she looking at.

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It sounds like there was some kind of mistake along the way.

I don't know what your new doctor's reason was for emailing you on a Friday evening. Without a good explanation, it comes across as inconsiderate. Your hands have been tied all weekend. Your stress is understandable.

Have you replied to your doctor's email? Is there anyone else at the clinic you can contact?

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@bobbiruni

I'm not an expert but I understand -2.5 is quite an improvement from your previous -3.5. I'd ask what numbers is he_she looking at.

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Thank you. That is how I understood it. I am trying to reach her but being the weekend I only got a atomatic reply that she was not available! I don't know if the scan results on "mychart " are simply part of what she saw or was told or if there was more. If I ever get a hold of her I will ask what she based that comment on.

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@hopefullibrarian

It sounds like there was some kind of mistake along the way.

I don't know what your new doctor's reason was for emailing you on a Friday evening. Without a good explanation, it comes across as inconsiderate. Your hands have been tied all weekend. Your stress is understandable.

Have you replied to your doctor's email? Is there anyone else at the clinic you can contact?

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Thanks. I am trying to give her some kindness and benefit of doubt that perhaps it was a glitch in the system of computer charts and such but I have never had Dr give me negative results except in person. I do feel it was a poor choice to tell me that way without ant explanation of why it has gotten worse.

I did reply and asked for more information but have not heard back.

I am a 10 year cancer survivor and eternally grateful for the myriad of Drs and health care providers who saved my life so not a Doctor hater by any means but I don't know this Dr. at all and am confused by the timing and abruptness of the email.

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I would get a second opinion. That does not make sense.

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I would be so happy with minus 2.5.

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@bbones2023

I would get a second opinion. That does not make sense.

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Thank you. I agree. Right now I am just hoping to contact her to see if if was a mix up in either the test results that were posted on mychart or she mixed me up with someone else (I do have a very common last name)...as hopefulelibrarian mentioned.
OR there is something else SHE could have seen or was told?
IF she can't come up with a better explanation I suppose I can go to the specialist she suggested and get better answers.

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@calirose

Thank you. I agree. Right now I am just hoping to contact her to see if if was a mix up in either the test results that were posted on mychart or she mixed me up with someone else (I do have a very common last name)...as hopefulelibrarian mentioned.
OR there is something else SHE could have seen or was told?
IF she can't come up with a better explanation I suppose I can go to the specialist she suggested and get better answers.

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I am curious if you ever received the previous read out of your DEXA. Sounds like you didn’t. I recommend EVERYONE ask to have the full read out of their DEXA which is not just the report that gives the numerical levels , but also the other pages which provide the pictures and more defined numerical values!! There are things to be gleaned from that extra information. For one - a look to see how the person reading your scan determined one vertebrae from another. If the lines between them are not placed correctly the values of those vertebrae will be incorrect.
So, to be clear , without you having another DEXA that email was sent to you , OR did you have a new DEXA and that is when the email was sent to you????
Please fill us in on that . Thinking of you ! So sorry this has happened!!!

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Thanks for your kindness and info

Yes, I had a DEXA two years ago and was diagnosed then based on a -3.6 T score of my lumber spine. Other areas were in the low -2 and the Dr I had then felt they were not too concerning. That Dr put me on Prolia for several reasons

Neither test results that were sent to me has any other info than the T score. I was told that DEXA only measures bone density and nothing else so that is good info for me to know.

This DEXA report just had T scores as well - my neck and spine results only (no hip score as before) only and the neck was very slightly worse but still in the osteopenia range and the spine had gone to -2.5. The only other info was that my bone density in my spine had increased by 10. something percent. That is why is was surprised when I got a short email from her claiming I had significantly worsened!

She is supposedly out of town but did answer an email last night, partially - but now she said it was my hip that was worse, not my spine... which was never mentioned before so now I am more confused.
She also said she though I should start Prolia? Which she should know I have been on for two years She prescribed it the last time. So nothing makes sense and my husband says it has turned into a very bad comedy sketch!

So, I think my only choice is to try to see the specialist and get another opinion!

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Yes, go to another doctor. Her information does not sound reliable. Her delivery method and timing seem very unprofessional.

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