I Have Osteopenia – I Don’t Need to Worry About Fractures

WRONG!!!!    85% of women who suffer Fragility Fractures have “Osteopenia”.  Close to 90% of men.  How can this be?  “Osteopenia” is NOT a Diagnosis.  Unfortunately, most people do not understand that “Osteopenia” is not a Diagnosis.

Fracture Risk is not just DXA t-score or Bone Mineral Density (BMD).  “Osteopenia” is a BMD t-score of minus 1.1 through minus 2.4.  Increased Fracture Risk (the NIH definition of Osteoporosis) starts at minus 2.5 at age 60, but Increased Fracture Risk starts at minus 1.3 at age 80.  And that is only if there are no other Risk Factors, such as previous fracture, parent with a hip fracture, smoking, inhalers, etc.

BMD alone does not predict Fracture Risk well.  The Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) is far more accurate for fracture prediction, even without DXA or BMD.    Adding Vertebral Fracture Assessment (VFA) picks up still more individuals at high risk for future fracture.

Your goal is to avoid fracture.  “Osteopenia” by DXA alone actually tells you that you may be at High Risk of Fracture!  “Osteopenia” means that you need a full Fracture Risk Assessment – a full Bone Health Assessment.

DXA, VFA, FRAX, focused history and physical exam, blood testing including 25-hydroxy Vitamin D, PTH and TSH are all part of our full assessment. They should be part of yours.

Get a full evaluation before you fracture.  Read our Take Control Naturally series.  Watch our videos.  Avoid fractures.  That’s your real goal.

Jay Ginther, MD

Categorised in: Bone Health, Evaluation and Screening, Osteoporosis, Take Control Naturally