Has anyone had a bone density scan - is it worth it?

[Katymac]

This is the blurb.....

"uses Quantative Ultrasound (QUS) to show bone density at the heel which is a good indicator of general bone density in the body.

The National Osteoporosis Society says that 'QUS has been demonstrated to show predictive value for any fracture in women in their peri-menopausal years and of Colles fracture in women in their early post-menopausal years'.

An ultrasound scan is safe and painless; both heels will be scanned.

You will be provided with a full report of your results showing your T-score and Z-score together with any recommendations appropriate for you. Your report also includes a projection of likely future bone density.

BoneCheck will refer you to your GP for a full body DXA scan if your results indicate low scores."

Is it worth having it's £50?

I don't think it's lactose tho' the lastose free stuff doesn't help at all really

I get a few weeks post my B12 injection when my tummy gets really well (as long as I still avoid the soya I can manage almost normal meals) then it slides back

See your GP and get a referral for a full scan. If you don't get on well with your usual GP ask to see someone else.

Going for a DEXA scan in a couple of weeks. The meds I'm on can lead to osteoporosis (and kidney failure, but dr forgot to warn me about that. Luckily, I'm not affected) and in my last scan I was in the verge of developing it (another thing he forgot to mention) NICE won't approve Med change without proof. Sure mine was a shin scan.

I had a heel scan and then a full body scan as part of a twin study in the late 90's.
I went again in 2014 and was given a full body scan, they don't bother with the heel one anymore.
I assumed because there was no benefit in it. It certainly wasn't cost as a heart test that would normally cost £800 is part of veges checks now.

veges? the

Yes - worth having it done especially if you have a premature menopause or a history of osteoporosis in the family. I had one done aged 40, and another aged 50 to compare changes. Fortunately all ok, but if it hadn't been then it would have been better to find out sooner rather than later.

katymac have you seen a consultant gastroenterologist who knows about IBS? If not I suggest you ask for a referral. The team at Kings College london / Guys & St Thomas' have a dept for this Dr Peter Irving is the lead gastro and did all the research in the UK on fodmaps.

It's very unusual not to be able to eat fish etc. with IBS. Also- can you not eat salad? I know what's on the IBS list but you could try lettuce, watercress, cucumber, red peppers, raw carrot etc.

You could also try gentle walking- exercise does help IBS and will also help relax you as some of IBS is stress related.

I was offered one of these recently but I panicked and said no way, I'm 38 and feel fit and healthy as I ever have. I don't trust the NHS or the professionals on duty to do the job properly anyway

why were you offered one Claudia?
There isn't really a right or wrong way to do the scan- it's highly unlikely anyone could get it wrong. It's an X ray where you lie on a bed fully clothed, the scanner moves across your body and the results are printed out there and then. I have mine done privately and the radiographer gives me the results on the spot, then they are sent to my dr as well.

I've seen 4 - 2 colonoscopys & I have been given a diagnosis of a "very fast transit time" which imo is a description of my symptoms not a diagnosis

Some foods I eat & I am on the toilet before the meal is finished

Anything raw comes through slimey & undigested (TMI sorry)

I see.

I think I have IBS too ( I don't eat gluten) as some days i can go 4 times or 5 if I'm anxious. But for me, it's more about feeling anxious or worried.

Have you tried any medication - there are drugs available for IBS.
Or relaxation therapy, yoga and things like that?

I have reflexology/acupuncture weekly & try to do mindfulness,I have a stress coping technicque I developed years ago

& the last 6months I have had less stress than the last 10 yrs

but 12-15 times a day plays havoc with your life

Got my results

Tscore -1.5 & -1.6 which if I read the graph right means I shouldn't get oesteoorosis until I am 80 - which is pretty positive I think

If you're worried ask for a dexa scan. I was told the pelvis/hip is the best bone for noting deterioration. I was meant to get a dexa scan yearly but after my last one two years ago the dr said I didn't need one but the report letter said I did. First scan showed borderline osteopenia the second was actual osteopenia. I try to take calcium and vitamin d but it makes me gag. I know I need to do better.

NHS dexa scans do the hip. I have them regularly due to long term use of steroids. I also take Calcichew D

Katy, you should do some research on Mast Cell Activation Disorder, they are starting to think that a lot of health conditions including IBS, Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue to name a few are actually Mast Cell Activation Disorder and have been misdiagnosed. It is also often co-morbid with EDS (Hypermobility). It's a very new area they only gave a name to it in 2007 and getting a diagnosis can be difficult. But there is treatment for it.

I have just been diagnosed with it, also have EDS and lots of issues with food and malabsorption.

Do a search for Dr Theoharides he has some YouTube videos you might find helpful to watch.

Hope that might help you.

Oh! Interesting!

I particularly like "Patients can present with recurrent episodes suggestive of allergic reactions but no consistent allergic cause has been identified." from one page

My DH & brother fell over them selves laughing at this - I can be allergic to a toiletry/cosmetic one day & then not the next & my conatct allergies are in the hundreds!!

Thank you - I'll keep reading, print something & take it into the GP & then get told I have depression (same as when I had tennis elbow!)

I hope it helps you. Good luck with the GP I know where you are coming from on that!

Thanks - it can be frustrating

I know I'm not standard - but I also recognise when I am depressed

Just bumping this. My GP has happily (!) referred me for a bone density scan on the NHS. I was planning on paying for one privately and had got in touch so she could do the referral letter. But based on my early hysterectomy and being slightly underweight (years of IBS too) she was fine with me having one. I also had a suspected stress fracture a couple of years ago and a broken toe. Fingers crossed it'll be ok but I don't want to ignore a potential problem.

I hope you get the results you hope for but get a print out to see for yourself!
I just today popped to GP and decided to ask for my bone density scan printed results that were reported normal no action a few months ago.
Actually, hip density is low normal! That's where my back prob is and i havent got very good movement on that hip! I would not have been told even though it's been a problem for years! I'm going to speak to GP about it and maybe get medication 😣. It says on the results to condider medication for people in my range! Can you believe it? I was told it was no action required by reception and GP never mentioned it. Yet I've seen him twice since then.
My mum and aunty both have osteoporosis and you need to pick it up at my age as im premenopausal and make sure it doesn't get worse. So glad I got the print out. My hip has neen deteriorating for years!

BeBrave Can I add something to your post?

Having low bone density doesn't usually show itself in the way you describe. The part of the hip that is measured is not the ball and socket joint, (where people with osteoarthritis get pain) but a much smaller area of the joint where it joins the femur (hard to explain.) Low bone density is not linked to movement / pain unless there are fractures in the vertebra.

If your score was low normal that probably means a T score below -1. It could be just below this- so -1.1 for example. Osteopenia goes right down to -2.5 and then below that is osteoporosis.

I almost had osteoporosis ( was below -2.) That was more than 10 years ago. I have scans every 2-3 years. I have made by bones pretty much normal with exercises and diet. Unless you are elderly ( 70+) then meds are not recommended now because they have many side effects.

You'd be better trying to build up your bones in other ways.

Thanks Polly
my score was -1.2. My hip pain and sciatica must be due to something else.
I've just been really struggling with my underactive thyroid diagnosis so this worried me. I'm fairly slim but struggling to maintain size 10 due to the thyroid. Before my thyroid problem I was cycling 30 to 50 miles a week and speed walking too. The scan has made more more determined to get my energy levels up. Calcium is also low but I'm supplementing as I'm gluten and dairy intolerant!

I think I'm menopausal too as my periods stopped this year. Time for a lifestyle review☺

You don't need meds for that score :) Normal is between -1 and +1.00
You are just outside normal.
Mine was way below -2 and I was told that meds were not appropriate for a woman of my age when it wasn't osteoporosis.