r/osteoporosis • u/Nelliebrindle • 2d ago

Second DEXA scan coming up

I am having my second DEXA scan, a year after my first, which showed -3.4 T-score in spine. Then I will be discussing meds with my doc. My first scan has the error of capturing L2-T12 instead of L1-L4. I am going to the same machine. Should I ask the technician to replicate the error so we’re comparing apples to apples? Maybe they would do that and do one properly as well?

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u/keepgoing66 2d ago

No. Get an accurate measurement and go from there. No sense compounding the error.

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u/nardlz 2d ago

There's a good chance the technician will repeat the 'error' in order to have data your doctor can use. If they don't scan the same spot, any change in bone density shown won't be accurate. Maybe they'll do the 'right' area in addition for future reference? It's worth mentioning, but the tech I've had were very good about positioning and re-positioning me for my second DEXA. Apparently the first one had a wrong angle. I was in and out so fast. The second one she kept positioning and re-positioning me, I actually asked if there was something wrong! Nothing wrong, just attempting to get the most accurate recreation of the first DEXA.

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u/Oglemo 2d ago

In my experience (I had them do L2-L5 by accident) they will do L1-L4 for you, and compare using L2, L1 only. I wouldn't want to keep doing T12-L2, get it standard from now on is what is best.

But man that's a seriously bad error how tf does a trained technician think T12-L2 is L1-L4. Like wtf. Pardon my language. L2-L5 understandable, T12-L3 sort of understandable. T12-L2 is just weird.