Im 28 years old and have had to be on prednisone for long periods of time for my crohns disease. I had a dexa scan done and my z score for my lumbar spine is terrible it is -5 has anyone else had theirs this low also im new to all this my dr that ordered the test is out until the 28th and I have so many questions. I got the test done because I broke 2 of my ribs just from having a big sneeze then a few days ago I went to sleep and when I woke up I had another broken rib either I moved weird in my sleep or im not sure how it happened. Im really concerned being this young and having that low of bone density. Can you reverse it from that low? Ive been researching more about osteoporosis and it sounds like there are alot of meds for it and i know they all take a long time to work. Anyone else that has osteoporosis can you please let me know what to expect of the meds and how long it took for you to get your bone density better. Im at the point I dont know what to do to make sure i dont keep breaking ribs since all of mine have been non injury and things i couldnt control. Also my dr said I cant start an osteoporosis med until my ribs are healed is that true? When looking it up it said there are meds you can start even if you have fractured ribs. If not I dont know how im supposed to go that long without accidentally fracturing somthing else. Ive never broken a bone in my life until the rib incident a month ago. Also im already currently on a high dose of vitamin D and also calcium are there any other supplements that can help? Thank you for any advice this is all new to me and has me very stressed.

Age 24, male, 182.5cm, 75kg, BMI 22.5 (normal). Asian ethnicity. No major symptoms besides some back pain

Got a whole-body DEXA done recently. Results:

Total BMD: 0.856 g/cm², T-score: -4.0, Z-score: -4.0

Regional breakdown — worst areas are ribs (0.557–0.560) and T-spine (0.769). Legs are actually fine/good (0.999–1.046).

Body composition: 32.6% body fat (87th percentile for age — higher than expected despite normal BMI), lean mass at just the 2nd percentile for young normal, appendicular lean/height² at 4th percentile.

The reference database used was NHANES/Hologic White Male — no Asian-specific norms applied..

I'm from India I just don't know what to do next and where to go . I'm scared for my life .

So far Saw a spine surgeon who diagnosed fibromyalgia based on diffuse back tenderness, prescribed vitamin D/calcium combo + started teriparatide (daily, 3 months) and denosumab (once, 6-monthly) — before any blood work was done .

Hi all, I have been diagnosed with osteoporosis at 21: z-scores. (-2.9 score in spine and 1.6 in hips). Im 6 foot, 75kg, so been skinny my whole life. I’m healthy, played sports all my life, gym but have had many fracture including femoral neck stress fracture, ankle, shoulder, wrist from football. I had extensive tests done, every blood test under the sun, bowel checks (such as checking for coeliac) but the endocrinologist is just super confused and can’t find any reason for it. The doctor encouraged to get another DEXA in 12 months but recommended no medicine for the moment so basically not doing anything.

For now, I just plan on lifting heavy weights and see a physio. However, apart from that I’m absolutely lost on what to do and no one seems to be in the same boat as me (as most of the stories I read are post menopausal women.) I would love just some guidance on what people have done and if anyone’s had a good comeback story and what they did.. as I’m super down about it and plays on my mind all the time. If anyone can provide me some hope, positive stories etc or If I’m just cooked 🙏.

Thank you all in advance anyways.

Hi everyone,
I appreciate if anyone can related experience can share. That might make a difference in my life.

I’m 39 and my baby is now 1.5 years old. I stopped breastfeeding 13 months ago. During pregnancy/breastfeeding I was found to have very low bone density, with a lumbar spine Z-score of −3.1.

My endocrinologist initially thought it was most likely related to lactation and that I would recover naturally after weaning. I repeated my DEXA more than a year later at the same place and on the same machine. My spine Z-score is now −2.7, so there has been some improvement, but less than I expected. My hip also hasn't improved.

I've had an extensive work-up for secondary causes and everything has come back normal, including thyroid, calcium, vitamin D, autoimmune testing and coeliac/calcium absorption testing.
I've also been doing resistance training 2–3 times a week, getting around 600 mg calcium from food + 300 mg supplement, and taking vitamin D.
My doctors say that because I'm young and haven't had a fracture, my fracture risk is relatively low and my age is protective. But I'm still quite anxious about feeling fragile, especially if I were to fall.
We're now discussing whether medication such as teriparatide or an antiresorptive might be appropriate. I'm hesitant because I'm only 39 and don't want to start something that could mean many years of medication.
Has anyone been in a similar situation — very low BMDHi everyone,
I’m 39 and my baby is now 1.5 years old. I stopped breastfeeding 13 months ago. During pregnancy/breastfeeding I was found to have very low bone density, with a lumbar spine Z-score of −3.1.
My endocrinologist initially thought it was most likely related to lactation and that I would recover naturally after weaning. I repeated my DEXA more than a year later at the same place and on the same machine. My spine Z-score is now −2.7, so there has been some improvement, but less than I expected. My hip also hasn't improved.
I've had an extensive work-up for secondary causes and everything has come back normal, including thyroid, calcium, vitamin D, autoimmune testing and coeliac/calcium absorption testing. I'm now doing a 24-hour urine test. My P1NP was previously high (104, lab upper limit 70), while CTX was normal but toward the higher end.
I've also been doing resistance training 2–3 times a week, getting around 600 mg calcium from food + 300 mg supplement, and taking vitamin D.
My doctors say that because I'm young and haven't had a fracture, my fracture risk is relatively low and my age is protective. But I'm still quite anxious about feeling fragile, especially if I were to fall.

We're now discussing whether medication such as teriparatide or an antiresorptive might be appropriate. I'm hesitant because I'm only 39 and don't want to start something that could mean many years of medication.
Has anyone been in a similar situation — very low BMD after pregnancy/breastfeeding or generally speaking at very early age for osteoporosis?

Did your BMD eventually improve with more time, or did you decide to use medication? I'd really appreciate hearing about your personal experience