My Journey With Weight Loss – Why I Had A Bone Density Scan

This week I decided I needed to completely adjust my schedule for training. We started to hear that more atmospheric rivers were on the way meaning copious more rain (just what we need). Normally I do my interval training on Thursdays and my long run on Saturdays. Of course these are the 2 days when we are going to get the most amount of rain. So, I regrouped and did my interval training yesterday, a walk on the treadmill today, will do 10k tomorrow (the weather is supposed to be decent) and then a walk on the treadmill Saturday. As much as I dislike walking on the treadmill I hate even more having to run on it.

Back in August as I was discussing my blood test results with my doctor and after having given her my latest weight she suggested a bone density scan. I asked why I would need this and she explained that studies have found that when there is a significant weight loss it can also lead to a loss of bone density. I said sure, let’s do it. Of course it took a few months but the scan finally happened last Monday.

Per my normal paranoia I had to research the bone density scan. Apparently there was a study done that found that especially post-menopausal women who had lost a significant amount of weight (particularly belly fat) were more likely to suffer bone density loss and become at risk for osteoporosis and hence fractures. Wait, what? Losing all the weight is a good thing right? Turns out that while the study did point to an increase risk it was a small study and the risk, while material, could be managed. Phew, I sometimes think if people trying to lose weight know about all these risks and side effects they might stop. Then I realize, nah, the risks of that extra weight are far more damaging.

Anyways, the scan is an x-ray scan of the hips and spine. There are 2 types of comparisons that can be done. Firstly the T-score which compares your score to a healthy young adult of your same sex. The goal is for this score to be -1 or above with a score of -2.5 or lower indicating osteoporosis. The second is the Z-score which would compare your bone density to the average of people in you own age grown, sex, and ethnicity. I don’t qualify for this score as one of the requirements for women is that you are pre-menopausal.

Ultimately the bone density scan is looking at my bone health. Yes, I am hoping it comes back saying I either have healthy bones or at worst osteopenia which indicates some bone loss but not osteoporosis. Should the worst cast scenario of a diagnosis of osteoporosis happen I will deal with it and do what I can to mitigate risk factors.

I do believe that knowing these health risks are an important part of continuing this journey.