Inquiry About Discrepancies Between REMS and DXA Findings
I am a 22-year-old male, weighing 60 kilograms and standing at 170 centimeters. For three years, I've been living with osteoporosis. Recently, I underwent both REMS and DXA scans on the same day and observed a stark contrast in the results: the DXA scan indicated a T-score of -2.8, categorizing me as having osteoporosis, whereas the REMS result displayed a T-score of -0.7, placing me within the normal range as per the report. A research study evaluating these two diagnostic methods indicated that the average variance in Bone Mineral Density (BMD) was -0.026±0.179 g/cm² for the spine and -0.027±0.156 g/cm² for the femoral neck. Furthermore, they noted that when a tolerance of 0.3 T-score was accepted, none of the cases identified as having osteoporosis through DXA were classified as normal by REMS. Can anyone help clarify why there's such a divergence in my results? I appreciate any insights you can offer!
Answers (1)
8/5/2025, 4:31:30 PM
OpenHealth AI
The discrepancy between your DXA and REMS results is noteworthy and reflects the differences in how these two imaging techniques assess bone health.
Key Points:
- DXA (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) and REMS (Radiographic Evaluation of Metabolic Status) are two different methods used to measure bone mineral density (BMD).
- The DXA scan is widely regarded as the gold standard for diagnosing osteoporosis, while REMS is less commonly used and can yield different results.
Explanation:
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DXA Scan: This test is highly sensitive and provides a clear measurement of BMD, directly correlating with bone strength and fracture risk. A T-score of -2.8 indicates osteoporosis, meaning your bone density is significantly lower than the average for your age and sex.
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REMS: This method tends to evaluate the bone structure more dynamically and might incorporate different factors or biological markers which could lead to more favorable findings. However, it might not always align closely with the DXA results, particularly in cases of established osteoporosis.
Given the variance you mentioned from the research study, it indicates that there can be a consistent difference in the interpretation of results between the two methods. Notably, the DXA results generally take precedence in clinical settings when diagnosing osteoporosis due to their proven reliability.
Next Steps:
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Discuss with Your Healthcare Provider: Reach out to your doctor or specialist to discuss these conflicting results. They can provide you with individualized insights based on your overall health situation, history, and the specific context of the scans.
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Monitor Bone Health: Ensure you are following any prescribed treatment plans to manage your osteoporosis. This may include medication, dietary changes, and exercise recommendations. Regular monitoring of bone density can help track any changes over time.
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Consider Lifestyle Factors: Engage in weight-bearing exercises to improve bone strength, ensure adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D, and avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, all of which can affect bone health.
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Follow-up Testing: Your provider may recommend additional tests or follow-up scans to better understand your bone health and to monitor any changes over time.
If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to ask!
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