Raj's Bone Density Test

February 14, 2001

I just received bone mineral density test (BMD) data for Raj. They used the

DEXA method and reported 4 values (all in g/cm sq.).

L1 to L4 = 1.17

Combined Femoral region = 1.0

Femoral neck = 1.06

and

Total bone mineral density = 1.21

The Impression section of the report also says that the value of the

Femoral neck (1.06) is below normal (1.15). I am wondering how low it

really is and how are the other values. I am also under the impression that

BMD varies depending upon a person's gender and ethnicity (Raj is South

Asian). Any info is welcome.

I am hoping for some response on this topic as on last question that I

posted (total protein) I did not get any.

Thanks.

aumesh (son Raj has AIH)

February 15, 2001

aumesh...... according to my research the normal value of testing is the

number !.

any thing over that shows some loss. The number is based on normal

values of bone density in young people. since Raj is a young person his

bones may not have fully developed yet and 1.15 may be the norm for his

age. The DEXA measures against the value of 1 and any deviation is

what tells the Dr. of bone loss. anything from 1.5-2.5 is called

osteopenia and above 2.5 is osteoporosis. In other words Raj seems

fairly close to normal. Asians and caucasions have a greater propensity

to osteoporosis . Your Doctor should have interpreted the results for

you. Remember none of us are doctors.

By the way the Femoral neck is the part of the leg bone (Femor) that

goes to meet the hip joint.

Get your doctor to explain things to you so you won`t worry so much.

Worry is counter-productive.

love and serenity

Jerry

I just received bone mineral density test (BMD) data for Raj. They used the

DEXA method and reported 4 values (all in g/cm sq.).

L1 to L4 = 1.17

Combined Femoral region = 1.0

Femoral neck = 1.06

and

Total bone mineral density = 1.21

The Impression section of the report also says that the value of the

Femoral neck (1.06) is below normal (1.15). I am wondering how low it

really is and how are the other values. I am also under the impression that

BMD varies depending upon a person's gender and ethnicity (Raj is South

Asian). Any info is welcome.

I am hoping for some response on this topic as on last question that I

posted (total protein) I did not get any.

Thanks.

aumesh (son Raj has AIH)

February 15, 2001

Hi Aumesh,

I wont be able to help you much, I unfortunately am new to this as well.

Why did Raj have these tests, were they worried about the bones or are they

looking for something? A suggestion, if you are not doing it is for Raj

(and yourself) to take calcium supplements, there is a brandname Viactiv

(available in grocery stores & drug stores) that is like a caramel, comes in

Orange flavor, Chocolate & a Caramel. They contain 500 mg of calcium, I

believe that Raj should be consuming 1300 MG a day if he is taking

medication that will reduce his bone density. (you might want to check, that

is a guess). If only they would leave the uneeded Yellow Dye #6 out of it,

I can never understand this.........take soemthing good for you to

supplement your dietary need, but fill it full of dye.....

[ ] Raj's Bone Density Test

> I just received bone mineral density test (BMD) data for Raj. They used

the

> DEXA method and reported 4 values (all in g/cm sq.).

>

> L1 to L4 = 1.17

> Combined Femoral region = 1.0

> Femoral neck = 1.06

> and

> Total bone mineral density = 1.21

>

> The Impression section of the report also says that the value of the

> Femoral neck (1.06) is below normal (1.15). I am wondering how low it

> really is and how are the other values. I am also under the impression

that

> BMD varies depending upon a person's gender and ethnicity (Raj is South

> Asian). Any info is welcome.

>

> I am hoping for some response on this topic as on last question that I

> posted (total protein) I did not get any.

>

> Thanks.

>

> aumesh (son Raj has AIH)

>

February 16, 2001

Thanks Jerry, April, Cheryl, Sue and others who responded. Jerry, I think

you are talking about the T score (and I am not sure how is that

calculated) which is different than the g/cm sq data that they gave me. I

am sure the latter can be converted (by software) to the T score. Any way,

I will find out. I talked to his doctor and found a reference from which

they took the 1.15 g/cm sq number. I plan on reading it and understanding

better how normal value was calculated. My impression is that one reading

in itself, even when it is slightly lower, may not be too concerning

because the variations exist due to race, height, and wt. Any way, Raj's

doc is increasing his vitamin D dosage slightly. We will found out in 6

months what effect that had -- when another BMD is done.

Changing topic, Jerry, your results, looked good except for billirubin

(1.4). that value looked like it is at the higher end of the normal range.

But as you indicated, these fluctuations are normal. So, do not worry too

much.

aumesh

----------- .At 05:55 AM 02/15/2001 -0500, you wrote:

>aumesh...... according to my research the normal value of testing is the

>number !.

>any thing over that shows some loss. The number is based on normal

>values of bone density in young people. since Raj is a young person his

>bones may not have fully developed yet and 1.15 may be the norm for his

>age. The DEXA measures against the value of 1 and any deviation is

>what tells the Dr. of bone loss. anything from 1.5-2.5 is called

>osteopenia and above 2.5 is osteoporosis. In other words Raj seems

>fairly close to normal. Asians and caucasions have a greater propensity

>to osteoporosis . Your Doctor should have interpreted the results for

>you. Remember none of us are doctors.

>By the way the Femoral neck is the part of the leg bone (Femor) that

>goes to meet the hip joint.

>Get your doctor to explain things to you so you won`t worry so much.

>Worry is counter-productive.

>love and serenity

>Jerry

>

February 16, 2001

Aumesh ......you may be right about the scoreing system but if he took a

DEXA test, `everything I`ve read about it says its based on the number

one which`is norm for bone structure at age 20 or so. I also read that

giving DEXA tests to young people isn`t done very often as bone doesn`t

reach maturity till= around age 30.

I`m curious as to why he took the test in the 1st place as he hasn`t

been on prednisone very long and he couldn`t `have suffered much loss.

Its my understanding that bone loss occurs after

being on relatively high doses for an extended period of time. I took a

density test and have been put on fosamax but I`m 58 yrs. old.. a smoker

and rather inactive plus I have cancer of the bone marrow.. still my

levels hadn`t reached the level of osteoporosis. Of course all of my

opinions are just that ---opinions- I`m not a doctor. I just feel that

worrying over evey thing one reads borders on hypochondria.(no offense).

It is hard on your psyche. I pray for Raj`s and your well being.

Normal range of total bilirubin is 0.0 - 1.3 so I`m not far out of

range. as I`ve said these things constantly fluctuate and as Cheryl and

Randy have said if something was wrong the Cleveland Clinic would beon

the phone to me immediately Right now I get my blood tested every month

but it usd to be weekly and biweekly and the clinic and my local gastro

watch them all the time. My bilirubin has been 2.4 before and no one got

excited. If it continued that high or kept climbing then something would

be looked into. Slight derivations from norm are common and shouldn`t

nessecerally cause alarm.have faith in your doctors I`m sure Raj is

going to be just fine.

Love and serenity