I had my first one a few years ago and it showed some bone loss in my lower back (hips were fine). I started on fosamax, calcium supplements and started some weight training (using very light weights since I have some lymphedema in my right arm due to radiation therapy), along with flexibility classes and lots of walking. My last bone density about 6 months ago showed improvement. My Dr said if I continue to keep up my regime, I may be off the fosamax in another year or so!! So that is my goal. Weight bearing exercise and weight training helps.

My 94 yr old mother has osteoporosis and went from 5'5" to 4'8"....9 inches of lost height. She fell twice last year and both time was fine. She has never broke a bone or needed a joint replacement.

However I read of a 49 yr old man that fractured his hip and when they did the bone density scan....he had the bones of a 90yr old woman!!!!!! He didn't know that he had a Pituitary tumor. And I use to have a 70ish female customer that broke her neck from sneezing due to osteoporosis.

So the best reason to have one, is awareness and a guide for future comparison if there are problems. And make sure that it is a Full body bone density scan and not the free arm scan.

I've had several bone density tests. One when I was 40 for a base line and then one or two more - just to keep track. I do this when my doctor suggests it - I'm not sure what or when prompts her.

Fortunately, my results have always been good.

What she told me is that every little bit helps and that we must continue to do weight bearing exercise as we age. OTOH, what she said was most important was out childhood behavior and nutrition.

I don't want to be a fitness de-motivator, since I do NOTHING now that I am working so many hours, and did very little before :), but I do want to brag a little: I had a bone density test at 51 (after breast cancer) and my oncologist said he'd never seen results as good -- better than the average 25 year old. So it must be genetic too.

Robin, you are the queen of good genes! We need to quit bugging you so much so you can get to my Zumba class.

Talia, is it your doc who suggests this or your gynecologist? I have to say I can't remember the last time I went to see my general practitioner. I do my annual mammogram--and the gyn exam with the RNP (if I have her title correctly).

I have incredible shrinking parents. I swear by the time they hit their next big anniversary they will be the size of those little people on top of a wedding cake.

I'm 5'4 and change and I don't want to be any shorter. Good info on the scans. I didn't even know what the machine looked like.