Question 1

i had a bone density test. the result was :   r-6.59  l-6.20  lumbar 9.82  what does this mean?

Accepted Answer

T-score: For postmenopausal females T score less than -2.5 signifies osteoporosis. I'm assuming that R and L in your question is referring to right and left femoral necks. Good health

Question 2

i got the results of my bone density test and don't know what the numbers mean.  lumbar spine l1-l4.   0.796; left hip(total)0.702; major osteoporotic?

Accepted Answer

Normal: Your numbers are not in the negative range, so your bone mineral density testing is normal.

Question 3

who should have a bone density test?

Accepted Answer

DEXA: Women over the age of 65, men over 70 and certain high risk categories.

Question 4

when could i get a bone density test?

Accepted Answer

Depends who you ask: Recommendations say age 60 now but ages 50-60 are when the most bone is lost so it would be good to know where you stand about age 50. If you have been on oral steroids for a long time or if your vit d level is low then you might need a scan even earlier. I do not agree that age 60 is the ideal age for a density scan but many doctors start at that age. I think the cat is out of the bag by then.

Question 5

does a bone density test usually hurt?

Accepted Answer

No: The best bone density test, called dxa, does not use any needles. A person lies on a table and a very small dose of radiation passes through the lower spine and hip to measure bone density. It is painless.

Question 6

will my insurance cover a bone density test?

Accepted Answer

Maybe: Depends on your insurance. For postmenopausal women a bone density test can be an important part of preventive care. If your insurance covers preventive care, such a test may be included.

Question 7

what does a "low normal" bone density test mean?

Accepted Answer

Very little!: When the world health organization arbitrarily set a level of bone mineral density (bmd) below which a person was said "to have" osteoporosis, the opportunity was immediately seized by interested parties to declare a range better than that density but adjacent to it as "osteopenia".  Above that is called "normal"  bmd is a continuum! normal is normal.  Low normal means normal.

Question 8

why would u do a bone density test on a woman my wife is geting one done

Accepted Answer

To : To see if she if her calcium levels in the bone are affected. In women, if estrogen levels drop (could be for a variety of reasons, one including menopause) calcium levels drop too, causing drop in bone density, fractures, brittle bones and possibly bone deformities. Bone density test sometimes needs to be repeated more than once to show actual drop in bone density.

Question 9

what is a ultrasonic bone density test?

Accepted Answer

A DXA alternative: The dual energy x-ray analysis (dexa or dxa) is considered the "gold standard" for measuring the mineral content of your bone.  A similar measurement can be done with ct-scans or ultrasound, where the impedance of the sound wave can be correlated with bone mineral.  None of these tests provide much definitive information about fracture risks.  Ask you doctor for a frax clinical analysis first!

Question 10

should i go for bone density test, would they weigh you?

Accepted Answer

No: They don't need to weigh you.  It is a simple, quick test. You lay on a table and the scan is performed by the tech.

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Doctor answers about:

Bone density test results

A member asked:

I had a bone density test. the result was : r-6.59 l-6.20 lumbar 9.82 what does this mean?

A member asked:

I got the results of my bone density test and don't know what the numbers mean. lumbar spine l1-l4. 0.796; left hip(total)0.702; major osteoporotic?

A member asked:

Who should have a bone density test?

A member asked:

When could i get a bone density test?

A member asked:

Does a bone density test usually hurt?

A member asked:

Will my insurance cover a bone density test?

A member asked:

What does a "low normal" bone density test mean?

A member asked:

Why would u do a bone density test on a woman my wife is geting one done

A member asked:

What is a ultrasonic bone density test?

A member asked:

Should i go for bone density test, would they weigh you?

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