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Is This Amount Of Decline In Femoral Neck T Score Normal From Age 67 ?
Question: Hello. I got my Dexa scan done. My T score for femoral neck is -0.5. 7 years back, it was -0.1. Other T scores have also come down in last 7 years but they are still +0.1 to +0.4. My questions are:
1) Is this amount of decline in femoral neck T score normal from age 67 to age 74. It went from - 0.1 to -0.5.
2)At this rate, I will have osteopenia in 8 years. Can I take say phosomax once a month to prevent osteopenia.
3) Because of allergy, I do not drink milk or milk products. So I get only 200 mg of calcium from the foods I eat. I am taking calcium supplements. How much should I take from supplements excluding food.
Please reply in detail for each point.
Thank you.
4) I take 1000 IU vitamin D from a multi vitamin. My vitamin D blood level is 40. Is that enough or should I take more vitamin D for calcium absorption.
1) Is this amount of decline in femoral neck T score normal from age 67 to age 74. It went from - 0.1 to -0.5.
2)At this rate, I will have osteopenia in 8 years. Can I take say phosomax once a month to prevent osteopenia.
3) Because of allergy, I do not drink milk or milk products. So I get only 200 mg of calcium from the foods I eat. I am taking calcium supplements. How much should I take from supplements excluding food.
Please reply in detail for each point.
Thank you.
4) I take 1000 IU vitamin D from a multi vitamin. My vitamin D blood level is 40. Is that enough or should I take more vitamin D for calcium absorption.
Brief Answer:
Pl see below
Detailed Answer:
Hi ,
I will answer your queries one by one
1. Upto -1.0 - T score is taken as normal for all practical purposes. From -0.1--0.5 in 7 years is still within normal limits .
2. As per advancing age the values of T score goes down anyway, So a better criteria would be Z Score which is age matched. If it deteriorates then medicines may be required. We cannot extrapolate the report to a future date in Bone Densitometry.
3.Normal requirement is around 500 mg of calcium in very active persons. So I think 200 mg from food and calcium supplements you are taking will cover you adequately.
4. Your Vit D3 level is Adequate ( please check in reports also as to Normal range in that Lab). So 1000 mg of vit d is adequate daily intake
Thanks for the question. I hope to have answered all your question. Please feel free to any more questions.
Thanks again
Dr Gopal Goel
Pl see below
Detailed Answer:
Hi ,
I will answer your queries one by one
1. Upto -1.0 - T score is taken as normal for all practical purposes. From -0.1--0.5 in 7 years is still within normal limits .
2. As per advancing age the values of T score goes down anyway, So a better criteria would be Z Score which is age matched. If it deteriorates then medicines may be required. We cannot extrapolate the report to a future date in Bone Densitometry.
3.Normal requirement is around 500 mg of calcium in very active persons. So I think 200 mg from food and calcium supplements you are taking will cover you adequately.
4. Your Vit D3 level is Adequate ( please check in reports also as to Normal range in that Lab). So 1000 mg of vit d is adequate daily intake
Thanks for the question. I hope to have answered all your question. Please feel free to any more questions.
Thanks again
Dr Gopal Goel
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Thank you Dr XXXXXXX for your clear response.
The normal calcium requirement is 1200 mg for 70 plus year old. I am getting only 200 mg from food. Does that mean I need 1000 mg from supplements. Is it ok to take that much from supplements.
Thanks.
The normal calcium requirement is 1200 mg for 70 plus year old. I am getting only 200 mg from food. Does that mean I need 1000 mg from supplements. Is it ok to take that much from supplements.
Thanks.
Brief Answer:
No more Calcium required than what you are taking.
Detailed Answer:
Hi I am Dr Gopal Goel, Orthopedic Surgeon.
In my opinion , what you are taking is more than sufficient for your age. I would not advice more calcium , since it will not be absorbed .
Thanks for the question. I hope this will answer your query.
Gopal Goel
No more Calcium required than what you are taking.
Detailed Answer:
Hi I am Dr Gopal Goel, Orthopedic Surgeon.
In my opinion , what you are taking is more than sufficient for your age. I would not advice more calcium , since it will not be absorbed .
Thanks for the question. I hope this will answer your query.
Gopal Goel
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Sorry but I am taking 800 mg daily from supplements. Is that OK
Brief Answer:
It is OK
Detailed Answer:
Hi I am Dr Gopal Goel , Orthopedic Surgeon.
The amount of calcium you are taking is keeping you fit. As I told earlier , body absorbs only what is required, rest is not absorbed.
Since this calcium is working fine with you , Continue with it .
Thanks for follow up question.
Dr Gopal Goel
It is OK
Detailed Answer:
Hi I am Dr Gopal Goel , Orthopedic Surgeon.
The amount of calcium you are taking is keeping you fit. As I told earlier , body absorbs only what is required, rest is not absorbed.
Since this calcium is working fine with you , Continue with it .
Thanks for follow up question.
Dr Gopal Goel
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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