Z score for age group

Posted by oretsina @oretsina, Oct 29, 2022

Where can I find the Z score for my age group? The z-score tells you where your measurements fall relative to everyone else in your age group. Would be useful info to have for comparison and it have come up.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Osteoporosis & Bone Health Support Group.

Sophie,

oh, you read the whole article. What other questions? You are correct your bones are compared to an average of thirty year olds at their peak bone density. Do you have a good idea of why you have bone loss so young.
Terry

REPLY
@gently

Sophie,

oh, you read the whole article. What other questions? You are correct your bones are compared to an average of thirty year olds at their peak bone density. Do you have a good idea of why you have bone loss so young.
Terry

Jump to this post

Hi Terry!
Yes I've gone through the whole article. 2 times, because it is not as easy to understand 🙂
My question (more like, confusion) is this: In my case, the Z-score would not be ''needed'' because if my bones are so weak at 30, it goes without saying that my Z-score would be lower than that of my peers. Am I right? 🙂

As for your question, I've gone through early menopause, hence the bone loss

REPLY

Sophie, you are so cool. Only twice and you are on it. I advised the scroll so no reader would get discouraged.
Since the 30 year old we are compared to is a 30 year old that none of us have been, the z score has inaccuracy built in. Your Z score would be the same as your T score.
Less interesting, I'm small boned I never had the 30 year old bones in the chart. Plus DXA can't distinguish small from large bones. Small bones appear less dense, large bones more dense.
So T scores and Z scores attempt to assess bone loss in order to determine treatment guidelines for this other wise silent danger of fracture.
You likely have a gynecologist. If there isn't a endocrinologist involved you might consider taking one on.
Do you have a pharmaceutical plan.
Terry

REPLY
@gently

Sophie, you are so cool. Only twice and you are on it. I advised the scroll so no reader would get discouraged.
Since the 30 year old we are compared to is a 30 year old that none of us have been, the z score has inaccuracy built in. Your Z score would be the same as your T score.
Less interesting, I'm small boned I never had the 30 year old bones in the chart. Plus DXA can't distinguish small from large bones. Small bones appear less dense, large bones more dense.
So T scores and Z scores attempt to assess bone loss in order to determine treatment guidelines for this other wise silent danger of fracture.
You likely have a gynecologist. If there isn't a endocrinologist involved you might consider taking one on.
Do you have a pharmaceutical plan.
Terry

Jump to this post

Yeah so I have understood the article (mostly). 😀 You know, I love reading about such stuff and educating myself further about my condition, which most likely is one for life. Sadly.

I also have thought about that, if I have ever reached a peak bone mass. Because I'm naturally underweight and petite. Small boned, so to speak. I even had a fracture as a kid, a bad one indeed. I don't think other kids would get it so bad in such conditions.

I work with my endocrinologist, as well as with my gynecologist. HRT is contraindicated for me, so I've started oral bisphospohates.

REPLY

Sophie,
you have really good spirit.
Eleven minutes in there is live video of osteoblasts and osteoclasts at work. https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/ondemand/video/2050123/

REPLY
@gently

Sophie,
you have really good spirit.
Eleven minutes in there is live video of osteoblasts and osteoclasts at work. https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/ondemand/video/2050123/

Jump to this post

Thank you for your kind words! And for the video, of course!

I find that learning about my condition takes my mind of its severity, somehow. So instead of just sitting there and worrying, I feel like I'm being proactive, if that makes sense 🙂

REPLY

I started reading about osteoporosis in 1998 because my Mom had osteoporosis. That was before the first anabolic drug Forteo was approved. I would carry a television (no laptops) for her three hour infusion of Pamidronate. I knew in 2002 that Forteo would be my drug. 21 years later I started Forteo determined never to take anything else.
You are decidedly proactive and that is going to pay off royally. I sense your excitement, something I also feel, in the chase as you collect the bits of knowlege that will become an excellent plan. Osteoporosis is fascinating. Some of the reading is a slog where you're looking up every other word until the ideas become cohesive. Are you onto Pubmed. I sometimes call the researchers because their phone numbers are often at the top of their publications. The answer their own phones; some are tickled to hear from the public. All have been generous in explaining and, of course, are thrilled to talk about their own work.
There is a lot of misinformation and then the new discoveries that dispel old notions.
It is good to decide which medication you prefer before seeing your specialist.
Cheers,
Terry

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.