Anyone here have a bone density test?

[Simba's Mom]

I had my first ever bone density test yesterday. My mother has severe osteoporosis (has to take Boniva, Evista, AND calcium supplements). Ordinarily, the doctor said, I'd probably be too young (54), but with my family history, let's "Gitter done". The person who did the test didn't give me any results. She just said I'd hear from my doctor within a week. Of course, I'm very interested-if it was bad, would they have told me something right away? And she said the test should be repeated every 2 years, every year for anyone on medication. I thought that once every 5-10 years was enough. Does the 2 years sound right? Anyone with any experience with the test?

 

[figment52]

I'm thinking that this is just the baseline scan. A year or two from now is when they will be able to tell you something if there are changes.

I have no medical training, I'm just guessing.

 

[WDWVillain]

I had one done at age 40 after being on predisone for 2 years...I lost an inch

 

[Mary Anne]

I've had 2 (I'm 56 now). At the first one the told me nothing at the second they said there was little change form the first. 99% of the time whenever I go for any test, whoever does it tells me very little, I always have to wait for results from my Dr. I would not worry too much that the tech did not say much to you.

Edited to add my Dr. usually suggest it every 2 year also.

 

[LBAK]

It does take up to a week whether the news is good or bad. And it is recommended every 2 years after menopause more often if there's a problem. Hope your news is good!

 

[kennancat]

I've had one done. I paid out of pocket because of my age (32) but I wanted it done because there's a chance that a medication I take causes bone density loss. I'm surprised they didn't give you the results right there - I asked the tech for a copy and she printed one off for me. Even the initial scan will tell you how you're doing relative to others your age and what level your bone density is at. Remember that both are important and don't freak out if it shows you in the yellow zone

 

[Dream]

I'm an RN, working in women's health. We perform bone scans on patients daily. The results can be printed out and given to you immediately. I'm not sure if you had this done at an imaging center or in your doc's office. The week's waiting period could have something to do with the time it takes to interpret and get those interpreted results to your doc. But if done in your doc's office, its worth a call to see if you can get those results sooner.
You will know with this very first scan how healthy your bones are. Your result (your BMD - bone mineral density- is your exact measurement). Your BMD is compared to the BMD of women at age 30, since this is the age when we start to lose bone mass. It is also compared to the BMD of women your own age, so you can see where you stand in that age group. The comparison that 'matters' is the one with the 30 year old....and this number is what diagnoses you as either having osteopenia (small amt. of loss) or osteoporosis....or normal.
A repeat scan every two years is pretty much the norm. Bone changes fairly slowly. Repeat scans are to monitor you to make sure your bones are not getting worse, or to monitor how well the drug you were prescribed is working.

Good for you for being proactive and taking care of your health!!