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Blood test to check my bones are OK - is it acurate?

8 replies

myfavoritedayismonday · 03/01/2013 16:04

I asked my GP if he could check my bones are Ok as I fell over and broke my leg at age 40. The GP sent me for a blood test, does anyone know anything about the blood test - is it an accurate test - what does it check? The result was OK apparently. I also asked for my vitamin D level to be checked and that was not OK and I am booked for a telephone conversation with the GP tomorrow.

OP posts:
LadyMaryChristmas · 03/01/2013 16:09

You should really ask for a bone densitometry scan. It measures bone density so will be able to show if your bones are weaker then they should be. I'm not a huge fan of blood tests, they only really look for the average.

Leigh89 · 03/01/2013 16:35

I have a broken foot and the hospital have not mentioned me having a blood test? Should I ask to have one? I have had a broken arm before too??? X

digerd · 03/01/2013 18:57

My daughter had a DEXA scan, which is the most thorough and expensive.
I had a heel measurement some years ago, but doubted that it revealed anything else but the size of my heel. Was told it was thin/narrow so I was just above the danger zone. Haven't had anything broken.
She had the x-ray done on her spine and hips, and one hip was thinner than the other ? Her spine was OK. GP has put her on calcium supplements.
I had a blood test a few years ago, in which my calcium was also tested and came back a little low, so I am now prescribed calcium tabs as well.
I told her that before her dosage could be determined, she should have a blood test.

weegiemum · 03/01/2013 19:07

My dd2 has delayed bone age (found when they discovered her Perthe's syndrome, which is hip socket degeneration).

She's had dexa scans of her pelvis, spine and hand. She's 9 but her bones only appear to be 7 (she was officially one day prem, induced at 36+6) but that's not the reason. She has linked enamel trouble with her teeth.

As far as I know (boy have I bothered her consultant, a lovely lady) it's only an issue in adulthood if you have a prem menopause. As this runs in my family (I'm through it at 42!) she will be monitored for life annually, and we've been encouraged to get her doing weight bearing exercise (she's been selected for the school cross-country team along with her big brother) as long as it's not too much jumping (which could damage her hip, so no competitive trampolining!!)

You need to talk to your doctor. What blood test is it (dd has never had a blood test about her bones!). Dh is a doctor and he's never asked for blood tests for her (and he would!!).

BestIsWest · 03/01/2013 19:33

Hi, I agree you need a dexa scan but also the doctor may be testing your calcium and Vitamin D levels. There is a bone profiling blood test which checks calcium, albumin, phosphate, alkaline and phosphatase.

mercibucket · 04/01/2013 07:06

Totally non-medical but have low vit d and had low blood calcium so read a bit about it

The bone profile test looks at your blood. Your body will sacrifice bone to keep the blood ok, so having good blood calcium levels might mean nothing about your bones. Dexa scans look at bone density. But the low vit d will be affecting your bones. When they treat it, they need to keep monitoring your blood calcium as it can go too high or too low with high dose vit d treatment. That can be dangerous, which is why your body tries so hard to keep blood calcium levels within range

Any reason for low vit d or link to another condition? Thyroid problem or another autoimmune disease?

mercibucket · 04/01/2013 07:06

Totally non-medical but have low vit d and had low blood calcium so read a bit about it

The bone profile test looks at your blood. Your body will sacrifice bone to keep the blood ok, so having good blood calcium levels might mean nothing about your bones. Dexa scans look at bone density. But the low vit d will be affecting your bones. When they treat it, they need to keep monitoring your blood calcium as it can go too high or too low with high dose vit d treatment. That can be dangerous, which is why your body tries so hard to keep blood calcium levels within range

Any reason for low vit d or link to another condition? Thyroid problem or another autoimmune disease?

myfavoritedayismonday · 04/01/2013 10:21

Thanks for messages, I've now spoken to my gp, my vitamin d was not too low - 50. I couldn't bring myself to ask about having a bone scan as I feel he thinks I have health anxiety. I am worried about my health as I don't feel quite right, I have terrible concentration and memory. I was wondering about having some tests done privately, I'm not sure how to go about it, I was wondering if I might have hyperparathyroidism, but I don't have any pain in my bones so I can see why my gp might think that was absurd.

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