My program recommends an annual bone scan, because it's the only way to find out if your body is cannibalizing your bones for Calcium in your blood stream. Your calcium must be extremely low to show in a blood test, because your body will just leach it from your bones to make up for what you are not getting.

I missed getting this done the first year somehow, so last month, I got my first bone density scan post-op. It's also my first one post-menopause, so not sure how much change is due to that and how much can be blamed on WLS. Last scan was in 2005. I am already walking 4 days a week, so plenty of weight bearing exercise. And I am taking the amount of Vitamin D and Calcium recommended by the Kaiser Fremont Bariatric program, which is 4000iu of Vitamin D per day (800 from 2 Multivitamins + 1500iu from calcium plus D + 2000iu vitamin D tablet) and 1500 mg a day total of calcium citrate. I was taking the calcium twice per day (3 tablets each time), but I am going to switch to taking it three times per day (2 tablets each time). So we will see what next year brings.

Here's the scoop on the scan:

Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry was performed to obtain bone mineral density (BMD) measurements using the Hologic Discovery bone densitometry unit. For each BMD measurement, Z and T scores are calculated. Z score represents the number of standard deviations of the patient's BMD from expected age matched values. T score represents the number of standard deviations of the patient's BMD from the average peak BMD value at age 30. A FRAX score has also been calculated using the LEFT FEMORAL NECK data.

OSTEOPENIA is defined as a T score from -1.0 to -2.4 representing an INCREASED fracture risk.

OSTEOPOROSIS is defined as a T score more negative than -2.4 and represents a HIGH fracture risk.

T score: Fracture risk comparison to gender and ethnicity matched 30-year-old.

0 = Average risk

-1 = 2 times the risk

-2 = 4 times the risk

-3 = 8 times the risk

LUMBAR SPINE:

BMD = 0.843 g/cm2 g/cm2

T score = -1.9

Z score = -0.7

LEFT HIP TOTAL:

BMD = 0.855 g/cm2 g/cm2

T score = -0.7

Z score = 0

LEFT FEMORAL NECK

BMD = 0.657 g/cm2 g/cm2

T score = -1.7

Z score = -0.6

** IMPRESSION **:

1. Bone mineral density in the LUMBAR SPINE is in the Osteopenic range. Compared to the prior study, there is significant change.The bone mineral density has decreased by -15.0 %.

2. Bone mineral density in the LEFT HIP is in the Normal range. Compared to the prior study, there is significant change. The bone mineral density has decreased by -23.3 %.

3. Based on FRAX, the 10 year probability of hip fracture is 1.0 %.

4. Based on FRAX, the 10 year probability of major osteoporotic fracture is 9.2 %.

Helps big business sell more milk, no?

They have the marketing angle figured out. This is true in almost every industry from gas to oil to dairy to meat. Spin the marketing a certain way means profit even if not in the best interest of the people. Standard business practice, at least here in America since the founding of the country (although, back then, it was more about selling snake oil to the people as a health remedy).

A good book to read on big business profit driven practices is "Salt Sugar Fat: How the food Giants Hooked Us."

More Magazine (otherwise known as "the Menopause Rag"), published an article about the scandal of bone density tests. Evidently the machines aren't calibrated correctly and there are a whole bunch of people out there talking the osteo drugs that don't need them.

I am 5'11", large-boned, I walk, lift weights and take 1,000 mg of Calcium and 5,000 of Vit D a day. This is addition to 2 servings of Greek yogurt, cottage and other cheese per day. Every year my doctor gives me an order for a bone density scan and every year I don't go. I think it's a racket by big Pharma.

I've been looking into calcium from milk and lots of stuff I've read says milk actually causes our body to lose calcium. Crazy I know since as children we are taught that drinking milk is good. The stuff I've studied says its better to get it from grains ,fruit and vegetables.

I have read this too... my Dr. friend (my age, woman) will not take calcium.

That is interesting to know.

I currently take 1500 mg a day of BA chews (caramel - yum!), but may have to double based on your empirical results?

My WW scale does bone density.

I am not sure how accurate it is, but it is consistently giving me values that average around 8.0. This value appears to be in range of good bone mass according to the documented range of 7.4-8.2 based upon my age of 37:

http://www.wholesale...tchers-WW66.pdf

Your thoughts?

I have a weight watchers scale too... I am 60, and my bone density is over 7... so I guess its all good. I took my calcium citrate for the first 2 years, not so much now, I do eat lots of veggies and take my vit d and magnesium since reading the newer research on calcium use.

http://www.nutrasolutions.com/articles/83004-harm-from-calcium-supplements

http://www.empowher.com/arthritis/content/can-calcium-supplements-harm-your-heart

More Magazine (otherwise known as "the Menopause Rag")' date=' published an article about the scandal of bone density tests. Evidently the machines aren't calibrated correctly and there are a whole bunch of people out there talking the osteo drugs that don't need them.

I am 5'11", large-boned, I walk, lift weights and take 1,000 mg of Calcium and 5,000 of Vit D a day. This is addition to 2 servings of Greek yogurt, cottage and other cheese per day. Every year my doctor gives me an order for a bone density scan and every year I don't go. I think it's a racket by big Pharma.[/quote']

Can you provide a link to the article?

I have a weight watchers scale too... I am 60' date=' and my bone density is over 7... so I guess its all good. I took my calcium citrate for the first 2 years, not so much now, I do eat lots of veggies and take my vit d and magnesium since reading the newer research on calcium use.[/quote']

Can you provide links to this research?

TIA,

Lynda

As an aside, too much calcium leads to calcium oxidation issues manifested as stones in the kidney. Of course, same is true of protein and I am definitely guilty of excess. drinking a lot of water will keep the stones away in both cases from my research.

Can you provide links to this research?

TIA' date='

Lynda[/quote']

Lynda, see my links above.

As an aside' date=' too much Calcium leads to calcium oxidation issues manifested as stones in the kidney.[/quote']

Good grief! Now I'm not sure what to do. Waiting to read articles other than the one Georgia just posted. Kaiser is pretty careful, so I would trust their machines more than others.

Lynda

One more from July.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/23880796/

One more from July

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/23880796/

Sorry. My phone is doubling entries!

Can you provide a link to the article?

The original article doesn't seem to be online anymore. I'll see if i still have a copy. It upset me so much I gave a copy to all my doctors at the time.

This isn't the article I was looking for, but it is interesting: http://www.more.com/health/wellness/brittle-truth-about-osteoporosis-and-your-bones

There is also this thread: http://www.inspire.com/groups/national-osteoporosis-foundation/discussion/horror-story-with-a-dexa-bone-density-test/

The original article doesn't seem to be online anymore. I'll see if i still have a copy. It upset me so much I gave a copy to all my doctors at the time.

This isn't the article I was looking for, but it is interesting: http://www.more.com/...-and-your-bones

There is also this thread: http://www.inspire.c...e-density-test/

Interesting. Unlike many women, I do have a baseline from pre-menopause. The change was dramatic. Large enough that for me, bone loss is a reality. My paternal grandmother suffered with osteoporosis beginning in her 70s. My maternal female relatives all die before 75, so I'm not sure about that side.

I do get a lot of calcium from foods. I eat a cup of nonfat greek yogurt a day and often eat spinach and salmon.

Lynda

http://www.mayoclini...lements/AN01928 heres one... on heart attack risk...

and

http://www.nutrasolutions.com/articles/83004-harm-from-calcium-supplements