Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Postmenopause => Topic started by: Katejo on January 03, 2023, 12:11:00 PM
-
Hi all. I had a Dexa scan in Feb 2019 and was told that I had mild osteopenia. I have since been on HRT for nearly 4 years, mainly due to VA but also to maintain bone density. I had a further DEXA this morning and have to wait 3 weeks for the results.
Has anyone had good results at a 2nd DEXA after taking HRT? I am not sure what to expect. I have also been very active in a dance class for the past 4 years.
-
Didn't the scanning person give any hints at all? I would have thought that, if there were problems with bone density, a 3 months wait would be too long. MayB ring the Dept and ask?
-
Didn't the scanning person give any hints at all? I would have thought that, if there were problems with bone density, a 3 months wait would be too long. MayB ring the Dept and ask?
3 weeks not 3 months. I asked the guy who did it but he said he hadn't looked at the results so couldn't tell me anything. Said I would have to wait until the results were sent to the GP. Which means it will take weeks and weeks....
Ringing the dept is useless. I tried again and again during the Xmas break to change my date. No one answered the phone and no voicemail. Just cut me off. When I last had it done I think the woman did tell me at the time but I am not sure about that.
-
No personal experience but there have been reports on here of osteopenia improving with hrt. Please try not to worry. The gp surgery should give you the results when they get them without having to wait for a gp appointment.
-
No personal experience but there have been reports on here of osteopenia improving with hrt. Please try not to worry. The gp surgery should give you the results when they get them without having to wait for a gp appointment.
Mine won't give me them without an appointment. They are convinced that we are all too stupid to understand any results without explanation. I have tried this with blood test results. I hope you are right about improvement. I didn't think that was possible. I thought it could only prevent it getting worse.
-
Hi Katejo, yes my DEXA overall has improved on HRT. 1st scan during peri & not on HRT. 2nd & 3rd scans were 3 yrs 9 mths apart, both after starting HRT several yrs postmenopause, but I was off HRT for 15 months between 2nd & 3rd scans. Even so, 2 of the 3 scores had improved on 3rd (last) scan, meaning my overall profile is only just into the bottom of the osteopenia range. My oestradiol level on HRT has never been above 290 btw & most of the time between 170-210 & my BMI is low (underweight). Overdue for repeat DEXA but they don't call me & I haven't got round to asking for referral. I hope your results are encouraging.
Wx
-
Hi Katejo, yes my DEXA overall has improved on HRT. 1st scan during peri & not on HRT. 2nd & 3rd scans were 3 yrs 9 mths apart, both after starting HRT several yrs postmenopause, but I was off HRT for 15 months between 2nd & 3rd scans. Even so, 2 of the 3 scores had improved on 3rd (last) scan, meaning my overall profile is only just into the bottom of the osteopenia range. My oestradiol level on HRT has never been above 290 btw & most of the time between 170-210 & my BMI is low (underweight). Overdue for repeat DEXA but they don't call me & I haven't got round to asking for referral. I hope your results are encouraging.
Wx
My 1st DEXA was in 2014. By early 2019 (and after 2 small fractures, 1 radius and 1 scaphoid 1 or 2 years apart) I did have mild osteopenia. Then I started HRT and have been on it continuously since then. No fractures since 2016.
-
Everything crossed for you.
Wx
-
OK so having wiped my reading glasses ::)
I would prefer to see a GP/Nurse to get results. Our Surgery offers ZOOM or face2face appts.. Options offered when making the appts. as to who 1 needs to see if another person can save a GP time to see those with more serious problems.
Walking is never bad - I need to up my exercise ::)
-
OK so having wiped my reading glasses ::)
I would prefer to see a GP/Nurse to get results. Our Surgery offers ZOOM or face2face appts.. Options offered when making the appts. as to who 1 needs to see if another person can save a GP time to see those with more serious problems.
Walking is never bad - I need to up my exercise ::)
My surgery doesn't offer the nurse option and you can't book appts online at all. Typically I et a blood test done. They message me to ask me to ring and arrange an appt but, when I do ring, there is a 3 week wait to speak to anyone.
-
That's not good enough! MayB they are short of staff over all? Many GPs are leaving as they get to retirement age. Not many Trainees want to go into GP work. It can be so tiresome!
-
OK so having wiped my reading glasses ::)
I would prefer to see a GP/Nurse to get results. Our Surgery offers ZOOM or face2face appts.. Options offered when making the appts. as to who 1 needs to see if another person can save a GP time to see those with more serious problems.
Walking is never bad - I need to up my exercise ::)
My surgery doesn't offer the nurse option and you can't book appts online at all. Typically I et a blood test done. They message me to ask me to ring and arrange an appt but, when I do ring, there is a 3 week wait to speak to anyone.
Could they do a phone appointment?
If not make an appointment with somebody who knows which way is up.
Hope all goes well for you. 🤞
I have had DEXA scans, the first one the radiographer wouldn't tell me what my score was. No great problem as I saw the bone density nurse immediately after. At subsequent scans mostly I was told the score there and then.
-
On HRT since 2018, 1 year ago my Dexa showed osteopenia in hip and neck of femur, I immediately doubled by estrogen intake to 4 pumps (not just because of bones), had a repeat dexa done last last month, a year after previous, and my two osteopenia scores had further declined, one into fully fledged osteoporosis.
Hugely disappointing - my meno consultant said HRT can absolutely reverse bone loss so perhaps I am in a minority, also my BMI is quite low which probably doesn't help.
Hopefully you'll be in the majority who see an improvement with HRT
-
Hoping the best for you! I’m in a similar situation: took a DEXA that showed mild osteopenia. I commenced HRT to protect my bones and also to address my other symptoms, including urogenital symptoms which were not fully controlled with three days a week estrogen cream. I also immediately started a very significant weight lifting program, twice a week. I won’t be taking a repeat DEXA until probably summer time, but it’s going to be interesting to see if any of this has improve the situation.
Hope you get good results!
-
I've literally just come back from having my first DEXA scan - so I'll be interested to know my results too (as this will be my baseline). Early menopause and 4 years on Oestrogen only (no progesterone) HRT has prompted my meno specialist to request from GP. Results will be 2 weeks and need to go through the GP to get them. Thankfully my GPs are pretty good; I'm sorry to hear that you've been round the houses a bit lovely :( x
-
As I recently posted on another thread I was shocked to learn that progesterone can play an important role in improving bone density, in fact it can do better than oestrogen which is far more commonly touted as the best anti osteoporosis hormone
-
I have also heard that body identical progesterone helps bone strength.
I'm surprised you have to wait so long for DEXA scan results, mine are printed off immediately and handed over to me.
-
My dexa showed osteopenia too but the Dr wasn't keen on putting me on HRT because of high breast cancer on mother's side and blood clots on dad's side,I've just been given Accrete,a vit D and calcium tablet,it's worrying to say the least
-
Jaypo I have frequently come across references to the fact that nowadays breast cancer family history need not be a contraindication for HRT, I would try to see a menopause specialist as GPs are often in the dark ages.
Mary you're lucky the Dexa results are printed off and handed to you, my hospital won't send the results at all and I have to ask the consultant who dictates them to me and I write them down, beyond infantilising!