Dexa scan - big discrepancy between spine and femur

[L1L4vsFemur]

I was curious to get a baseline reading for bone density before heading into old age (currently 52).

(I didn't realise they only scanned the 4 bottom vertebrae and tops of the femur)

Anyway, my femur readings were great, higher than readings expected in a young adult. However, my L1 to L4 readings were in the Osteopenia range 😕

I do strength / weight training, mostly focused on arms and legs, so that would explain the good femur readings. (I'd love to get a full body reading, would love to know what the rest of my bones are like, but apparently that's not a thing)

Anyway - am I right in thinking I should be able to improve the lumbar readings by doing lower back strength exercises? I can't find anything online to confirm or otherwise my thoughts on this, but surely if I actually have Osteopenia it would be systemic, not just in a few bones??

Watching with interest as I had exactly the same results in December. First hot flushes started a couple of weeks ago and I am 46. Seriously considering HRT purely for bone health. I would say if you’re supplementing, look into the importance of Vit K2!!!

I'm not a doctor, but you should probably take these results to your GP.

I get fairly regular DeXA scans on the NHS, but I've never had this discrepancy noted.

Things I'd note are that

• you should be aware of the risk of compression fractures in your spine - these don't require trauma. You can be unwittingly walking around with a broken back (though that sounds much more dramatic than it really is).
• there are prescription drugs you can take called bisphosphonates which improve density, and are used in osteoporosis and other conditions with low bone density.
• most people in the UK are vitamin D deficient, and it's very important for bone health.

Thanks very much for the replies.
I wasn't aware of vitamin k2, but have been reading up on it - one of the best sources apparently is nattō... however (from Wikipedia) "Nattō is often considered an acquired taste because of its powerful smell, strong flavor, and sticky, slimy texture." 🤢 I'll go with some of the other sources instead! I don't eat much meat but eat eggs quite a bit - from our own free range chickens.
I have quite a healthy diet, mostly, and take a supplement of calcium with vitamin D & magnesium (when I remember - although I've got better at remembering since getting these readings!)
What did you do when you got your results @ChiefPearlClutcher - did you go to your gp? And is so what did (s)he say?
I've read a bit about spinal compression fractures - definitely need to do more back weight-bearing exercises!
Is there a dexa scan that does more of the bones than just these? My lowest vertebra was the best reading, with the three above it getting progressively worse - so I'd really like to know what the thoracic ones are like.
The human body is endlessly fascinating, and diet & exercise are everything!! I wish I could go for every test that exists, and also have a chef who would make sure I get the right amount of everything and a personal trainer who would make me exercise more often 😅

I live in the capital city starting with a t of the country that natto is well known in (deliberately trying to be vague here!! ) and I can confirm it is indeed disgusting! I think if you didn’t grow up with those kind of textures from childhood, you never get use to them!! I’ll be back in the Uk later this year and will the take my results to the GP. The GP here wasn’t overly concerned, which surprised me.

I did asked for the bone density scan only because I could as part of the annual health checkup which is quite a thing here, you can have literally anything done that takes your interest! The GP sent my results on after prompting but as I said, he wasn’t worried. I ahve taken it as a wake up call. I grew up in a hot country with lots of sunshine and even though I am vegetarian I have always eaten a lot of cheese and yoghurt, this has taken me by surprise. Exercise have never been something I enjoyed though 😬
I have added the Solgar Ca/Mg/ boron, D3 and K2 to my diet. Will re-scan in 3 years after a concerted effort to do something about it. My plan is to lose the 18kgs I need to shed (maybe with Ozempic?), then HRT, then re-scan. I have read that of people that have made as much as 5% improvement on their bone density.

Re K2, it also chelates Calcium from your blood… super important!!

I also used to keep chickens before we came here!! Might hatch some more next spring. Or ducks, I quite fancy keeping ducks and I love duck eggs!!

Fellow expats that have taken to natto have lost as much as a stone without trying 🤣 as you poo A LOT!!

I've just googled Natto. 🤢

I take calcium phosphate with vitamin d3 for osteopenia, prescribed by the gp. I've also quit smoking and do strength training at the gym, so it'll be interesting to see what has changed, if anything when I have a follow up in a few years time.