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Is It Normal To Have Different T Scores In Different Bones?
Question: 63 yr old female with 20+years use of prednisone and other meds for treatment of SLE(lupus) . Had DEXA done of spine and hips. Received T-score of -.5 and -.7 on l&r femur. Also L2-L4 were -1.0' yet, L1 was -2.8, or osteoporosis. Question: How can only one have osteoporosis and the others be normal?
Brief Answer:
Due to more wear and tear.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The osteoporotic changes in the bone depend on the extent of wear and tear of the bone; stress at the point; history of an injury in the area etc. It is normal to have different T scores in different bones.
The lower score in L1 vertebra can also be related to your posture. Vitamin D decline, or increased activity of the parathyroid glands can also cause such a change. Long term use of oral steroids is the most common cause.
Cancer involving a single vertebral body can also cause osteoporosis in a single vertebra.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you. Posture is good...so, probably not the cause. No known injury, and it seems strange that unusual wear and tear could occur in the lmbar region and not affect other vertebrate. I Did have long term use of prednisone so that could be it, but why only one vertebrate? Also, is it advisible to have parathyroid tested and also a check for cancer? Also, recently tested with low vitamins D levels. But, would that not be more a symptom and not the cause?
Brief Answer:
Can be due to low D3.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
Since only one vertebra is affected cancer and parathyroid gland abnormality needs to be ruled out. It can also be related to Vitamin D3 deficiency. Both osteoporosis and D3 deficiency contribute to thinning of bones.
Hope my answer is helpful.
If you do not have any clarifications, you can close the discussion and rate the answer. Wish you good health.
Regards
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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