Osteoporosis and Petite Women

Posted by njhornung @normahorn, May 16, 2023

The form I completed before going to an osteoporosis clinic asked if I weigh less than 127 pounds. That magic figure supposedly puts one at greater risk. The Endocrinologist I saw commented on how petite I am and asked if I have always been petite. While for a few years my weight was a little higher I am now back to around 100 lbs. Can't get back to my 21" waist, though.

Searching the literature, it seems that being petite is associated with higher T scores and not just post menopausal
Supposedly DEXA takes this into account when height and weight are entered into the software. However, one could be short and have heavy bones or be small boned. The old weight charts at doctor's offices used to take that into consideration. Does anyone have knowledge that DEXA truly adjusts for structure and the high scores are not an artifact of the technique? There is less bone for the xrays to penetrate which could be interpreted as the bone being less dense. Does density determine quality?

I am at the point of not pursuing treatment until I get a better handle on what my risk truly is. My only fractures were a clean break to an ankle when I slipped on ice and a finger playing touch football. Both were many years ago.

Any insight to offer?

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nycmusic | @nycmusic | Sep 25 12:11pm

In reply to @2024tymloshelp "VERY good point! I’m Petite too and I do wonder if dexa is as accurate for..." + (show)

@2024tymloshelp I’m another in the petite category, low BMI, due to weight loss during cancer…it is possible that some treatments can lower bone density—but I wonder if that can reverse….i think it matters how active you are, if you are/are not frail, and if you have lost height, diet, etc…. the standard measures probably don’t correlate many individual factors… but, that said, we need to pay serious attention and do whatever is right for us to take great care of our own bones—it does take work, no question.

cherokeefaith | @cherokeefaith | Sep 26 10:13am

Yes,, and much research and prayers about the best way to go because obviously the doctors don’t know. I don’t want to take Fosamax or any of the rest. I hope good health for you

nycmusic | @nycmusic | Sep 26 10:59am

It does seem true that med dosages are calculated for bigger people, way bigger than petite women. I often ask for meds that can be split…do it with Tylenol a lot. We have to be proactive with our docs about this. It does appear to be a real issue with OP meds.

busylady | @busylady | Sep 27 8:25pm

In reply to @cherokeefaith "Yes,, and much research and prayers about the best way to go because obviously the doctors..." + (show)

@cherokeefaith I do not want to take Fosamax either. My doctor prescribed it and I took 2 doses and decided that the side effects are just too scary. I just started working out with weights at our local Y and I am concentrating on getting a lot of calcium in my diet. Im 72.