FRAX for Fracture Risk and Choosing Treatments for Osteopenia

Neil Gonter, MD Health Professional Internist, Rheumatologist Neil J. Gonter, M.D., is a board certified Internist and... Send Message Subscribe: Neil Gonter, MD

Monday, March 17, 2008
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Reader's Question: I am 56 years old and was recently diagnosed with osteopenia of my hip with a T score of -1.7. My spine was normal. My doctor recommended treatment with medication. Should I start this? In the past, the answer to this questions -- how and whether to treat osteopen...

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osteopenia
Anonymous
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 at 11:48 PM

so what's the answer. the doctor's comments give no information at all. he should at least summarize the answer. not helpful

FRAX
Carol
Wednesday, October 14, 2009 at 11:04 AM

Each should decide for themselves. To get a FRAX number you fill out the form, including your DEXA scan results. Then you get a FRAX number. I believe the bottom line is, unless you have significant bone lose approaching the levels for osteoperosis, then you should wait to take biphosphonate drugs. The effectiveness of biphosphate drugs is most during the first 5 yrs, then you body develops tolerance to it, and it doesn't have as much effect. So the bottomline, is if your numbers are not that severely, wait until you are older (like after 65 yrs), when you are more likely to have an actual problem with fractures due to bone loss.