Thank you for your post about your recent scan results.

The term osteopenia is the name for the category (on a DXA scan reading) between normal and osteoporosis when bone is less dense than the average but not low enough to be classed as osteoporosis. It doesn’t necessarily mean that your bone has got weaker but the amount of bone you have, as measured on a bone density scan, is lower than that found in an average person in their 30s.

The amount of bone you have affects your risk of fracture – the lower the score the greater the risk so those people in the osteoporosis range are likely to be at a higher risk and are more likely to need  a drug treatment particularly if their overall risk of fracture is considered to be high.

Perhaps it is important to add that lower bone density in younger pre-menopausal women (I’m assuming for you this is the case) is not associated with the same increased risk of fracture as in post-menopausal older women as bone quality is likely to be better. Bone density measurement is only part of the picture and there are many factors which influence our risk of fracture, low bone density being just one. Other factors such as a parental history of hip fracture, long term use of corticosteroids and previous history of a fragility fracture (broken bone as a result of low impact fall or injury) are acknowledged as significant risk factors for fracture.  Bone mineral density measurements are used alongside these other risk factors to help identify those people who have fragile bones and are most likely to benefit from an osteoporosis drug treatment.

I can appreciate your concerns about your recent bone density scan results but given your younger age and in the absence of any specific risk factor it is likely that preventative lifestyle practices to manage your bone health are all that will be required at this stage. These include ensuring that you have a good calcium and vitamin D intake by way of a well balanced diet and getting out in the sunshine, as well as taking regular weight bearing exercise, not smoking and keeping alcohol intake within recommended limits. Your doctor may suggest a referral to a specialist or arrange for you to have some further investigations to exclude any conditions which could be causing a lower bone density - Sometimes follow up scans are recommended to see if you are continuing to lose bone density. A further assessment of your bone health when you have reached your menopause would also be advisable.

We would be very happy to discuss your individual situation in more detail on the telephone or via the email helpline if you feel this would be helpful.

 

Best wishes

Helpline Nurses
National Osteoporosis Society