Is there amy benefit in having a private Dexa scan?

[Kingfisherfly]

I'm 56 and both my parents suffer with osteoporisis and osteoarthritis. Both have suffered fractures without known trauma.

So, I have to assume I'm high risk.

I do most of the things recommended for prevention. Lots of weight bearing exercise (running). Healthy weight and varied mainly wholefood diet. Lots of greek yogurt and some cheese.

I take a vitamin D and calcium supplement.

I do some weight training, although aimed at running, not heavy lifting.

I'm not on HRT because progesterone makes me evil.

I'm considering a private dexa scan, to find out exactly what condition I'm in, the NHS will only do one once you suffer a fracture.

But, if it shows some declline but I haven't yet got any symptoms is there anyhting further that would/should be done?

Also, Boots offer a cheaper ultrasound that looks at bone density. Is there any point in that?

There is for your own information, but the nhs will not look at it or consider the results. I only got my nhs dexa scan after my 3rd fracture. In spite of having had a private scan and a strong family history. I had also been on prednisilone for years.
I have severe osteoporosis.

I’ve had mine done on the nhs due to a fracture, early menopause and no hrt and family history. It gave me peace of mind and a baseline to start. I would say yes a private one, if the nhs won’t do it for you is probably a good idea, but I would ask if the nhs will accept a private scan on your record.

I have had all my dexa scans on the NHS. I didn't have any history at the time although since I have found out that I had all the risk factors you can think of. If you have been through menopause and are small in terms of weight and stature then I would have thought that with your family history would get your GP to refer you for one. It is worth getting it done as the results might reveal a need for treatment or maybe just put your mind at rest.

Edited to say I am also a runner, hiker and swimmer - made not the slightest bit of difference.

Running is helpful, but it’s not really the first choice of exercise for osteoporosis prevention. It’s is loadbearing but not enough and not targeted enough and it’s limited to lower body

I’ve grabbed this off the NHS website for you:

Regular exercise is essential.Adults aged 19 to 64 should do at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, such as cycling or fast walking, every week.
Weight-bearing exercise and resistance exercise are particularly important for improving bone density and helping to prevent osteoporosis.
As well as aerobic exercise, adults aged 19 to 64 should also do muscle-strengthening activities on 2 or more days a week by working all the major muscle groups, including the legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, arms and shoulders

Thank you.

How or why were you prescribed? Was that after a fracture?

I'm wondering what benefit the information would be to me, what I would or could do with it?

The info might give you peace of mind if the results are good. On the other hand if they aren’t then you’ve got a battle with GP/nhs to get something done, which will cause stress (a lot). You could take steps to improve diet and exercise - which you can do with or without a scan.
Personally I tend to go with a bury my head in the sand approach as life is generally stressful enough without giving it a helping hand. But that’s me.

Only after my 3rd fracture, I was able to persuade my gp to order a dexa scan. By that time my osteoporosis was severe.

I now have an annual intravenous infusion. I take vitamin d supplements.

I have had a private dexa scan - I had no problem it being recorded on my nhs record. With your family history, I would absolutely be getting a dexa scan if I were you. Knowledge is power - it is really helpful to know what you are dealing with. Running is OK but weight bearing is better. There is a study called LIFTMOR which outlines weight lifting exercise proven to improve bone health. The Royal Osteoporosis Society has some fantastic resources and their advice line is brilliant.

I was diagnosed with severe osteoporosis in my spine at the age of 49, having had an early menopause due to chemo. I had no idea of my risk at the time, and the only reason I got a scan was because I broke my ankle in a silly accident and a consultant at my local hospital was asking for Dexa scans for all women over 40 with fractures of any kind for his research. It turned out my ankle bones were fine, the osteoporosis was only in my spine.

I've been taking alendronic acid weekly ever since (now in late 60s) and have had no fractures.

If you haven't already, please speak to your GP about your risk levels with both parents - my father and most of the women on his side had osteoporosis and the genetic factor can override things like diet. It can be the case that people are not able to absorb calcium or may have a fast turnover of bone which is not replaced sufficiently and leads to weakness. If they won't offer you a scan on the NHS then do get one privately so that you know where you stand.

There are no symptoms as such of osteoporosis until you have a fracture - a Dexa scan is the only way of diagnosing it before such a drastic and irreversible thing happens.

The Royal Osteoporosis Society has some good resources about diet and exercise, and they do recommend as high impact exercise as you can manage, which includes running.

Wishing you good health!

I've just had look at the Royal Osteoporosis society and they seem to suggest the kind of exercise I'm doing. Running for impact, and weight training at 8-12 reps, not heavy lifting.

Idk. I wouldn't. Only because I have already had several and I'm broke. I have osteoporosis and it's not like there's all that much you can do except some hardcore injection they makes you sick once a year and calcium/vit D. And being a healthy weight and regular weight bearing exercise.

If you were at risk, surely you can just ask the GP to refer you to one for free?

Why won't they do it on the NHS? I have one every three years. I have chronic malnutrition due to malabsorbtion which has caused osteoporosis. I feel very fortunate to have never had a fracture.

I get regular NHS dexa scans, because of my family history - I'm only osteopenic

Fair enough. Just to add, I found getting a diagnosis of osteoporosis a huge incentive to stick to a regular exercise programme. If I ever can't be bothered or put off a workout, I remember the diagnosis. I also managed to move back into osteopenia mainly through lots of weight bearing exercise (strength training such as weighted squats, farmers carry, weighted lunges) - I did take medication but only for 10 months as I then got side effects. There are some great fb sites with exercises and community if that's your sort of thing (Brickhouse Bones and The Strong Bones Challenge).

I had a DEXA scan in my mid-50s which found osteopenia and beginning of osteoporosis. I intensified my resistance and weight based exercise regimen and took bisphosphonates for about eight years. A subsequent scan showed my bone density to be much improved.

Since then I have really focused on weight training, primarily following Caroline Girvan’s programmes and using 5, 8 and 10 kg dumbbells. I also walk with a weighted (5 kg) vest and do lots of planks.

I am now 72 and in excellent shape. Still ski, ice skate, cycle, swim, hike. My core is extremely strong and people comment positively about my posture.

Needless to say I also eat a very healthy diet (mostly vegetables and protein) and minimise intake of alcohol, sugar a d processed carbs.

To my mind, the only benefit of a scan is for your own records. It would give you a baseline of where you are now to compare against in future. Whether you feel this would be useful, I don’t know.

I had one recently as I am now on Letrozole for breast cancer and the effect of reducing oestrogen is known to cause osteoporosis. So I have a baseline to compare against annually.

I had one recently on the nhs - just asked for one as my mum has had a few fractures

Have you asked for one? I got one on the NHS at 49 b/c I had early menopause and my mum has had multiple fractures and is badly osteoporotic.

I can only think that different trusts have different rules. I went to see a physio privately for an unrelated matter and he noticed I have some slight curvature of the upper spine. This plus my late father having had osteoporosis was enough to get a scan. Which showed I do have osteoporosis so I'm very grateful to know that and be able to get treatment (in addition to running and resistance exercises)
I've no idea how much one would cost but in your circumstances I would think it money well spent.

I’ve had 2 on the nhs, one at 46 after a fracture and anor at 49 for anor fracture. Both were after high impact falls and no family history of osteoporosis so not an immediate red flag but I’m quite slight so think they were just cautious.

mid push your gp for the referral. As anor poster said, the risk of osteoporosis it reminds me why I should exercise on the days I CBA as breaking my arm was so debilitating and I don’t want it to happen again. I figure maximising my bone strength is a good idea.

What types of progestogens have you tried, OP? I came across a woman in a FB group who was on hrt but just took progesterone for a week every 12 weeks, something like that, but with regular scans to check on womb lining thickness.

Can you ask a different GP in the same practice? My GP referred me on my request (following early menopause). I had the scan and the results in four weeks (all fine thankfully).

Have you actually asked your GP for one? Age and family history should be enough.

I had an NHS one due to osteoporosis in my mum, aunt and grandma, plus ex smoker and menopausal when I was 53, no fractures for me previously. I was diagnosed with osteopenia, the precursor and take prescribed calcium and vitamin d tablets twice a day. Ask your GP.