Forum Discussion
Bone density scan
in the gift that keeps giving today I had a bone density scan - is it just me or does everyone twitch every new test?
does anyone know what all the numbers and pretty pictures on the scan results mean?
on the bonus side because I use an asthma puffer it was free the double bonus was they also gave me a car parking voucher so I didn’t pay there either! Apparently shitty hormone therapy isn’t a reason for a free scan but asthma is
does anyone know what all the numbers and pretty pictures on the scan results mean?
on the bonus side because I use an asthma puffer it was free the double bonus was they also gave me a car parking voucher so I didn’t pay there either! Apparently shitty hormone therapy isn’t a reason for a free scan but asthma is
10 Replies
- @primek @Sarnicad I find it absolutely outrageous. Infuriates me.
- @primek whilst I’m grateful for the free test it did annoy me that I got it because I’ve used asthma inhalers in the past, but having hormone treatment which can destroy your bones isn’t a reason for a free test. That is seriously wrong!
i also would have got a free test if I’d broken any bones in the last 5 years or been on HRT(that one really annoyed me - the one thing I will never ever ever be allowed on). There were a few other questions but they’re the ones I remember - Your oncologist or GP can expmain it. It very much annoys me we can't have the scans due to our treatment. Another thing that needs sorting.
- Yes and hopefully it's a good result for you!
Take care - So I’ll have to wait to see what my onc says!
- I had one last year & still can't work it out - they reckon it was 'ok' tho! ;)
- I am never quite sure if it's charting against the norm for someone your age or, as my oncologist suggests, against a constant baseline, which is about a 30 year old! It really needs a specialised explanation. I have got better at reading my own although the last one confused me. But I had read it correctly - some things are a bit worse, which is to be expected between my age and Femara, but some parts of me have significantly improved. Go figure!
- From Dr Google but you really should see your GP or specialist for an explanation and a baseline
What is the normal bone density? A T-score of -1.0 or above is normal bone density. Examples are 0.9, 0 and -0.9. A T-score between -1.0 and -2.5 means you have low bone density or osteopenia. Examples are T-scores of -1.1, -1.6 and -2.4. - Hi @Sarnicad from what I understand (and I'm not a medical professional), it's plotting your bone density against the averages for someone your age. The first scan won't tell you much as it's your starting number. You should be asked to have another scan in 18 months. It will plot a new number on the graph. This will then show if you are losing bone density and at what rate. It will provide a better picture of how your bones will cope over time.
- Swings and roundabouts!
