The cost of a private bone density scan?

dazza-mac

Hello,

Despite my GP referring me for a bone density scan it was rejected and GP told to do a FRAXA score. This hardly takes into consideration any of the potential risk factors (it only asked if I smoke and drank - no to both) and I was unable to get the scan.

My question is:

Has anyone in the North East of England paid to have a private bone density scan and if so how much did it cost?

I believe I have several of the risk factors -family history of osteoporosis, poor calcium intake and one of the most worrying for me is the fact that I have had zero periods since the age of 40, and I beleive this drastically increases the risk of bone loss.

Every time I mention the lack of periods for the past 8 years my doctor just ignores me - so I don't even know if the reason is due to the menopause or other factors. Either way, a lack of periods is something to be concerned about regarding the potential bone loss risk.

blossomhill_2

Hi, I don't know the cost for the scan but the menopase is easily monitored with a blood test, you could ask yor GP to establish if you are pre-menopause or menopausal. If the test finds that you are not, you could then ask the GP for a gynae referral to establish why no periods. Anyone with a very low BMI can experience lack of periods but there are other causes
If the GP won't help, is there a partner GP you could see?

jenniewb

I have osteopenia, I am at risk of osteoperosis (family history, past history of low weight and despite being a healthy weight now, no periods for a whole now) as I am 30 have had DEXA scans which are bone density scans. I was also told that even without the scans -which were ordered by my Rhumatoid consultant, they would need to do a hormone test in between scans because this would give a clearer indication of how my bones were being affected and also a blood test to look at my calcium levels and vitamin D levels.

Maybe your GP could run these at a lower cost to themselves and if it gave cause for concern then run a bone scan.

Other areas to enquire about would be any aches and pains or injuries you have had (injuries such as falling or things like car or bike accidents) which result in pain which doesn't go away.

dazza-mac

Thanks for your replies. I'm beginning to lose all faith in doctors. The doctor that I see - the one who seems to ignore relevant facts - is the one everyone wants to see so it's hard to get an appointment before death occurs! So I dread to think what the others are like.

I'm amazed that she never even suggested doing a blood test to check hormone, calcium and vit D levels. You'd think it would flag up in her brain immediately, especially after being refused the dexa scan. It's also amazing that the patient has to go in and ask for specific things - the blood test to test hormone levels for example. I never knew they could test for that and would never have thought to ask.

I get so agitated and het up before going to the doctors as you know you only get a few minutes, which is a nightmare if you have several concerns (all of which you seem to suddenly remember just as you've shut the door after your appointment!). Taking a list never seems to work either as they just look at you like you're having a laugh expecting me to go through that lot.

Does anyone know the cost of a dexa scan in the north east?

jenniewb

dazza-mac wrote: »

Thanks for your replies. I'm beginning to lose all faith in doctors. The doctor that I see - the one who seems to ignore relevant facts - is the one everyone wants to see so it's hard to get an appointment before death occurs! So I dread to think what the others are like.

I'm amazed that she never even suggested doing a blood test to check hormone, calcium and vit D levels. You'd think it would flag up in her brain immediately, especially after being refused the dexa scan. It's also amazing that the patient has to go in and ask for specific things - the blood test to test hormone levels for example. I never knew they could test for that and would never have thought to ask.

I get so agitated and het up before going to the doctors as you know you only get a few minutes, which is a nightmare if you have several concerns (all of which you seem to suddenly remember just as you've shut the door after your appointment!). Taking a list never seems to work either as they just look at you like you're having a laugh expecting me to go through that lot.

Does anyone know the cost of a dexa scan in the north east?

TBH most Doctors wouldn't know to do these tests (bloods) as its a bit of a specialist area, the only reason I know this is because I have Osteopenia (waiting for tests to see if its gotten worse ) I only know because I have had to read up on things myself and have spoken to Doctors who know this stuff. You need vitamin D to be able to absorb the calcium in your diet which is why I suggested asking about it- if you have low vitamin D levels it could put you at risk of osteoperosis which would give you an arguement to getting a DEXA scan. It wouldn't immediatly mean osteoperosis though.

I would add that GPs tend to be generalists, they don't know the specialist areas in and out and this is why they refer. If you know something they don't it can speed things up but in my experience, if you don't (and I have been in this position in the past where it took the best part of 2 years to get a stress fracture diagnosed, the only reason it was diagnosed it 1. because I kept going back and 2. because I researched it myself and asked to be referred to a certain specialist area).

So if I were to suggest what you could do to get things sorted it would be to keep going back to your GP with the same symptoms and try everything they prescribe- give everything they prescribe time to work and if it does not, go back and keep going back. Ask for second and third opinion and so on until you have things sorted.

When it comes to multiple problems you need to book a double appointment and may even need to come back on another day. Don't forget that just as your pushed for time to fit everything in, your GP will be too and as they have not lived with the same symptoms you have they will not have the same understanding as you. As well paid as they are, none will be able to go on anything more then what you say so maybe make notes and bring them in.

If you feel you need something (eg a referral or test) then go along with any evidence to support your referal or test, this can help. If you feel your not being listened to go for a second opinion. Don't forget some surgeries also allow you to phone to speak to your Doctor, I've even heard of others that allow you to email- also NHS direct can be really helpful in advising what to say.

jenniewb

Just wanted to add: are you sure you've been asking your GP for the right thing? A Fraxa scan is about looking for a certain gene to show if you have a genetic illness which is normally picked up early in children. It would by the sounds of it be pretty obvious by adulthood if you had the condition so if you had asked your GP for a Fraxa scan they may well have not realised you meant a DEXA scan and quite rightly would have refused (because its an expense they would not have seen any need for).

Maybe worth checking with the GP if they have understood you meant a DEXA and not a FRAXA scan.

dazza-mac

jenniewb wrote: »

Just wanted to add: are you sure you've been asking your GP for the right thing? A Fraxa scan is about looking for a certain gene to show if you have a genetic illness which is normally picked up early in children. It would by the sounds of it be pretty obvious by adulthood if you had the condition so if you had asked your GP for a Fraxa scan they may well have not realised you meant a DEXA scan and quite rightly would have refused (because its an expense they would not have seen any need for).

Maybe worth checking with the GP if they have understood you meant a DEXA and not a FRAXA scan.

Hi, no I think I may have confused you with what I wrote. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia but complained to GP that I was concerned that every ache and pain was being blamed on fibro.

I was concerned about the hip pain and was x-rayed which showed signs of wear and tear (can't remember the other words she used, but one hip was worse than the other). Doc then applied for a dexa scan but was refused and told to do a FRAXA SCORE (you can get this up on google) and based on that she said I wouldn't be able to get a dexa scan. I repeated my concerns regarding hip pain and also mentioned the history of osteoporosis, my poor diet and lack of periods for past 7/8 years - but was just ignored.

I'm trying to figure out what the next step is that I can do. I'm thinking I may ask for a blood test to test hormone, calcium and Vit D levels to see what that shows - but I'm really not sure what the next course of action is best to do.

Whenever I mention stuff I've read she gets that 'look' whereby you just know she thinks that I think I'm some kind of doctor. I don't of course, but I don't think it unreasonable to do a bit of research. As the previous post said, you don't get much time in the surgery and as long as you don't go in adamant that what you've read is the gospel truth, you should be able to ask a question relating to the information you have looked up.

dazza-mac

jenniewb wrote: »

TBH most Doctors wouldn't know to do these tests (bloods) as its a bit of a specialist area, the only reason I know this is because I have Osteopenia (

Hi, how did you find out about having Osteopenia, which I believe is a pre-curser to Osteoporosis. Was it from the dexa scan

McKneff

Are you doing anything now re your poor diet, are you eating things to help slow down the bone loss, are you doing bone building exercise.

What difference would a dexa scan make to you anyway, they diagnose, your doc could give you bone loss tablets with an actual dexa scan result.

dazza-mac

McKneff wrote: »

Are you doing anything now re your poor diet, are you eating things to help slow down the bone loss, are you doing bone building exercise.

What difference would a dexa scan make to you anyway, they diagnose, your doc could give you bone loss tablets with an actual dexa scan result.

Hi,

by a poor diet I meant that over the years I haven't really eaten Calcium rich foods regularly. I did start Calcium tablets with vit D and magnesium (cost a fortune but worth it if they work). I can't do bone building exercises due to various problems. I was reccomended to go on a pain managment physio course by the pain clinic. But lo and behold it was refused on the ground that the local pct wouldn't fund it. I'm scared of causing more problems by doing unsupervised exercise as I have other problems.

I felt that a dexa scan wasn't an unreasonable request as I feel that I could be at risk and knowing would then give me the facts. The doc originally said that if I got the scan and if I did have bone loss, she's be able to give me tablets that help prevent further bone loss and even help rebuild bone density - but she never said that I could be given them without a bone scan.

I just feel left and abandoned by her. All I'm taking now is Amytryptalline for the fibro (causing all kinds of side effects) - but nothing else for the pain and no help regarding a pain management plan after the pct refused the request from the pain clinic. I'm getting more depressed by the minute and worried that my health is getting worse. I feel that I'm going to have to fall and break a bone before ever getting a dexa scan - by which time the bones will have become weaker

McKneff

I just realised how lucky I am now that I have read your post.

When I was in my early forties I went through the menopause and was sent for a dexa scan automatically by my doctor, I had major bone loss, and was put on something once a week. Cant remember the name of it though, just come off it. I feel mine was to do with early childhood diet and also hereditry. Never properly broken a bone but a suspected fractured rib at the end of last year. Suspected Ha.... it was broken alright. But in all honesty, what I hit on the way down when I fell would have broken a body builders ribs too.

I say Im lucky because I have no pain what soever, I have multiple joint arthritis, also no pain what so ever. And pernisious aneamia for which I get a B12 injection every 3 months. Worked till I retired last September and enjoying every moment of it.

Funny, I look so well and feel so well, but I'm dropping to bits inside lol.

Talk to your doc about bone loss. Ask for some advice about medication for it. Hope all goes well.