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I Had A Dexa Scan Today. I Am In Limbo On The Results

1desperateladysaved

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1desperateladysaved Proficient
1desperateladysaved
Posted

Anyone if the tech person is aware of the results of the test.  Anyone had a technician that talked about the results? I didn't expect a glowing report, so nothing would surprise me. Waiting for the results is often the hard part.  Too bad I didn't check my bone density right away or years back.  I feel sure that I have already improved it some, but who knows.  30 + years of drawing from the bones is likely hard on them.

 

Dee

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sweetsailing Apprentice
sweetsailing
Posted

My first dexa scan was in 2011 (done because of very early menopause - age 41).  The technician gave me my T scores right away while I was there.  That is how I found out I had osteopenia.  This was before I even had the worst of my celiac symptoms.  It was all downhill after that.  Now that I have been gluten free for 7 months, I am having another dexa scan on Tuesday next week.  Hoping my numbers improve :)

cyclinglady Grand Master
cyclinglady
Posted

My first dexa scan was in 2011 (done because of very early menopause - age 41).  The technician gave me my T scores right away while I was there.  That is how I found out I had osteopenia.  This was before I even had the worst of my celiac symptoms.  It was all downhill after that.  Now that I have been gluten free for 7 months, I am having another dexa scan on Tuesday next week.  Hoping my numbers improve :)

Please keep us posted.  I have another year before my next scan!  I was just shy one point from osteoporosis, but my doctor thinks that I already have osteoporosis in my upper back since I have had two vertebrae fractures within three months of my celiac disease diagnosis.  I am hoping that hormones and calcium will do the trick (I already exercised a lot!).

 

I did have problems sleeping with my hip and ribs last year and that has resolved.  So, I think I'm building bone!  

GottaSki Mentor
GottaSki
Posted

my first tech didn't tell me...probably didn't want to say osteoporosis to a 44 year old woman

 

good news is the follow ups were much improved...last one I was only borderline osteopenia/normal -- that was at 4 years gluten-free :)

 

eat right and regular weight baring exercise replaces those nasty weak bones!

 

oh and good calcium/d vitamins ;)

IrishHeart Veteran
IrishHeart
Posted

Techs are not allowed to say much, so do not take that as anything "bad".

 

My first DEXA was indicative of osteopenia.  You know my history, so you can imagine how long calcium was being leeched from my bones.

 

2 years later, and my bone density had improved.

 

You need the right amount of calcium, magnesium and D--not just from supplements but from food--- and you need to do weight-bearing exercise-- as much and as often as you can!

 

All these things improve your bone density. 

 

Nothing is a "given" just because we are in our 40s and 50s and went unDxed for a long time.

 

Things reverse & things improve.  We're all living proof.

1desperateladysaved Proficient
1desperateladysaved
Posted
  • Author

Out to garden today. That will give some sun and exercise.   I also am continuing my trampoline every other day.  My sense of extreme transition is continuing.   I am doing vitamin D and magnesium supplements.  My calcium levels have been good, but possibly that will be reconsidered depending on the results.  I have been having my actual levels of nutrients tested carefully I take only what is needed.

 

When I was 25 the doctor felt my done density was low.  I am not sure what she based it on.  My dentist had certainly complained.  I lost the enamel off my teeth at 17.  Calcium supplements made me sick to my stomach.  My nurse now tells me that calcium can make celiac worse.  In my youth, I drank so much milk.  If milk were the only key to make strong bones, I would have them!  Somehow I think absorbing nutrients is much more important than one particular food.

 

I am wondering if they would ever recommend rehap or therapy.  I could use some exercise as I have noticed some weakness in my thigh area.

GF Lover Rising Star
GF Lover
Posted

Maybe you could exercise at home?  I don't think therapy would be recommenced for a sore thigh.  Walking is great!

 

Colleen

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1desperateladysaved Proficient
1desperateladysaved
Posted
  • Author

Home is my favorite place to exercise!  At home I do the trampoline every other day for 10 minutes.  Run up and down the stairs about 20 times a day.  Cook 3 meals from scratch for 8 people.  I also shop for the family.  In the summer I garden, in the winter I play ping pong and badmitten.  I do exercises recommended for my back by my chiropractor, and 20 squats, 20 sit ups and 20 push-ups.  I think that is enough, but perhaps I will get someone to help decide on how to strengthen anything that yet is weak. 

 

One thing I know.  I had worked up to 20e- minutes of trampoline per day.  it is really fun.  However, I found my self dreading my daily bounce, and being overwhelmingly tired day after day.  When I cut back, I began to look forward to doing it again.  I don't do it, though, when the garden work is heavy as today we are pitchforking 80 foot rows and planting.

 

Dee

1desperateladysaved Proficient
1desperateladysaved
Posted
  • Author

GREAT NEWS TODAY  It is a miracle.

 

I had 5 children and nursed for 12 years straight one time.  You can read more above. I also have thin back bones in my immediate family.  My sister and Mom have back bone trouble.   I was expecting the dexa scan to show thin bones.  However, after 2 years gluten free and an even greater amount of years on supplements:  MY Results were NORMAL!

Wi11ow Apprentice
Wi11ow
Posted

That's SO great! Good for you! One less thing to worry about!!! Yeah

Celiacandme Apprentice
Celiacandme
Posted

That is fabulous news!!!! Yay!!!!!

IrishHeart Veteran
IrishHeart
Posted

Hate to point this out, but I think like a scientist. ^_^

 

If you do not have a baseline DEXA, you have nothing to compare your results to.

 

You actually have no way of knowing if you ever had osteopenia or osteoporosis. Your bone density may have been perfectly fine, gluten

free or not.

 

Not everyone suffers from a loss of bone density, no matter the age, the number of children they breastfed,or what their relatives have.

 

You may call it a miracle if you wish, but I use that word for things that truly are miracles.

 

In your case, it may just have been good calcium levels all along. Loss of tooth enamel is not an indicator of  a calcium deficiency. 

 

Tooth erosion happens when acids wear away the enamel on teeth. Enamel erosion can be caused by the following:

  • Excessive soft drink consumption (high levels of phosphoric and citric acids)
  • Fruit drinks (some acids in fruit drinks are more erosive than battery acid)
  • Dry mouth or low salivary flow (xerostomia)
  • Open Original Shared Link (high in sugar and starches)
  • Open Original Shared Link disease (Open Original Shared Link)
  • Gastrointestinal problems
  • Medications (Open Original Shared Link, Open Original Shared Link)
  • Genetics (inherited conditions)
  • Environmental factors (friction, wear and tear, Open Original Shared Link, and corrosion)

 

My mother has excellent bone density, has had many health problems, but she lost all her teeth young--as in her 30's.  It was because when she was little, it was the depression and they had no money for dentists. But her back is ram-rod straight and her bones are as good as it gets. She drank milk all her life. She joined a gym when she retired at 55.

She still works out and walks every day. She is 87.  :)

GottaSki Mentor
GottaSki
Posted

I agree with Irish on this one. I'm glad you got good news, but unless you had prior measurable data ... This is great news, but far from miraculous.

Hoping the rest of your nutrient levels are good or improving :)

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