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Question about BMD scores
I'm concerned about the progression of my BMD scores. If this is not too technical a question, can someone help me with interpreting these scores? For example, do these scores look like a loss of BMD?
1/3 Forearm (Left)
12/30/2024 77 0.553 -2.3 -0.027 (-4.7%) -0.015 (-2.6%)
Total Hip(Left)
12/30/2024 77 0.772 -1.4 -0.003 (-0.4%) -0.006 (-0.8%)
Thank you!
Bone Density:
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Region BMD T-score Z-score Classification
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AP Spine(L1, L2, L3) 0.777 -2.2 0.3 Osteopenia
Femoral Neck (Left) 0.591 -2.3 -0.1 Osteopenia
Total Hip (Left) 0.772 -1.4 0.5 Osteopenia
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World Health Organization criteria for BMD impression
classify patients as:
Normal (T-score at or above -1.0),
Osteopenia (T-score between -1.0 and -2.5), or
Osteoporosis (T-score at or below -2.5).
Previous Exams:
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Region Exam Age BMD T-score BMD Change BMD Change
Date g/cm2 vs Baseline vs Previous
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AP Spine (L1-L3)
12/30/2024 77 0.777 -2.2 0.020 (2.6%) 0.008 (1.1%)
11/20/2023 76 0.769 -2.3 0.011 (1.5%) 0.003 (0.4%)
12/09/2022 75 0.765 -2.3 0.008 (1.1%) 0.044 (6.1%)*
10/19/2021 74 0.721 -2.7 -0.036 (-4.7%) -0.036 (-4.7%)
07/01/2020 73 0.757 -2.4
Total Hip(Left)
12/30/2024 77 0.772 -1.4 -0.003 (-0.4%) -0.006 (-0.8%)
11/20/2023 76 0.779 -1.3 0.004 (0.5%) 0.011 (1.4%)
12/09/2022 75 0.768 -1.4 -0.007 (-0.9%) 0.001 (0.2%)
10/19/2021 74 0.767 -1.4 -0.008 (-1.1%) -0.008 (-1.1%)
07/01/2020 73 0.775 -1.4
Bone Density:
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Region BMD T-score Z-score Classification
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Total Forearm (Left) 0.469 -2.0 0.7
1/3 Forearm (Left) 0.553 -2.3 0.5 Osteopenia
UD Forearm (Left) 0.353 -1.5 0.5
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World Health Organization criteria for BMD impression
classify patients as:
Normal (T-score at or above -1.0),
Osteopenia (T-score between -1.0 and -2.5), or
Osteoporosis (T-score at or below -2.5).
Previous Exams:
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Region Exam Age BMD T-score BMD Change BMD Change
Date g/cm2 vs Baseline vs Previous
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1/3 Forearm (Left)
12/30/2024 77 0.553 -2.3 -0.027 (-4.7%) -0.015 (-2.6%)
11/20/2023 76 0.568 -2.1 -0.012 (-2.1%) 0.001 (0.1%)
12/09/2022 75 0.567 -2.1 -0.013 (-2.3%) 0.001 (0.2%)
10/19/2021 74 0.566 -2.1 -0.015 (-2.5%) -0.015 (-2.5%)
07/01/2020 73 0.580 -1.9
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It shows you the percentage change in parentheses since the previous test. For example, your spine test on 12/30/2024 had a 2.6% improvement over the 11/20/2023 test. Your forearm lost 4.7%. Your left hip lost 0.8%.
You can also look at the T-scores from one test to another. If the score got more negative, that's a loss.
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Hug
1 ReactionThanks so much for your explanation! I now understand where to find the percentage change since the previous test 🙂 Could you let me know where to find the T scores as well? If it's not too much trouble, could you let me know what each number means in any particular line? Thanks again!
Take this section:
AP Spine (L1-L3)
12/30/2024 77 0.777 -2.2 0.020 (2.6%) 0.008 (1.1%)
11/20/2023 76 0.769 -2.3 0.011 (1.5%) 0.003 (0.4%)
12/09/2022 75 0.765 -2.3 0.008 (1.1%) 0.044 (6.1%)*
10/19/2021 74 0.721 -2.7 -0.036 (-4.7%) -0.036 (-4.7%)
07/01/2020 73 0.757 -2.4
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12/30/2024 bone density is 0.777. T-score is -2.2.
This bone density is 0.02 higher than your "baseline" (the initial test on 7/1/2020.) It was 0.757 in 2020, now it's 0.777, so you went up by 0.02, or 2.6%, over that whole time. (My first reply said the 2.6% was off the prior test. I misspoke.)
The bone density is 0.008 higher than the previous test in 2023, or +1.1%.
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Hug
1 ReactionThank you, I was wondering about that as my scores dont show a percentage. Also what would be a normal loss for anybody? Im wondering why my doctors didn't say anything earlier.
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Hug
1 ReactionBone loss is pretty common as we age. Your T-scores indicate osteopenia, not osteoporosis, and given your age, that's not too bad! And, your hip score is really good, which is critical for seniors. Whatever you are doing, keep it up. My guess is that the doctor wasn't overly concerned with these results.
Did you do something different in 2021? I ask because you gained a decent amount in your spine that year, and you've been pretty steady since then.
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Hug
1 ReactionMany thanks njx58 for helping me to understand my DEXA Bone Mineral Measurements.
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Hug
2 ReactionsDon’t you just love how the doctors do not explain anything? Wait until she does a CTX test. Crickets.
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Hug
2 Reactions