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What Your DEXA Scan Really Means (And What It Doesn’t Tell You)

The Bone Builder System

44,671 views

Have you recently received your DEXA scan results and are wondering what they really mean? In this video, Sarah, an experienced nutrition coach and osteoporosis expert, breaks down everything you need to know about your DEXA scan and how to improve your bone health.

What you’ll learn in this video:
● How to read your DEXA scan results: Learn how the T-score and Z-score impact your diagnosis.
● Understanding bone health stages: What’s the difference between normal bone density, osteopenia, and osteoporosis?
● Practical steps to improve bone health: Exercise, nutrition, and other tips to help prevent fractures and strengthen bones.
● Fracture prevention: Simple strategies to safeguard your spine and minimize fall risk.

Sarah walks you through the details of osteoporosis and provides actionable advice on bone health that you can implement today. This video is ideal for anyone who wants to learn how to better manage their bone health and prevent fractures with simple lifestyle changes.

Don’t miss out on key tips to take control of your bone health — watch now to unlock expert insights!

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💪 Want Guidance?
Inside the Bone Builder Community, I teach safe, effective strength training, posture, and balance exercises designed specifically for osteoporosis.

👉 Learn more here: https://about.bonebuildersystem.com/a...

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💬 I’d love to hear from you:
How did you receive your osteoporosis diagnosis?
Was it a conversation… or a quick phone call after your DEXA scan?
Share in the comments—your story helps others feel less alone.

20 Comments

@penelopej1996 5 months ago (edited)

My doctor said you have osteoporosis but your spine is fine. We want to put you on medication. I said I don’t want to do that. I researched side effects of the meds and after about a month, I got curious and called to see if they would send me my numbers the lady looked in my records and told them to me over the phone. I had a -1.4 T score in my spine, and a -2.3, and a -2.5. My z scores were good. Ok, my reaction was, that wasn’t as bad as I thought the doctor was talking about so I am going to at least try to work on it naturally for a while. Patients need their numbers. Thank you for your videos that are so helpful. I am 66.

@aball9480 5 months ago

I got my diagnosis during a follow-up doctor visit. But, he scared me so badly. He made it sound like I should stop living - don't lift overhead, don't hike or exercise because I might hurt myself. He insisted I take Fosomax right away and referred me to a rheumatologist saying I might need more intense treatment and shots. To this day, I haven't taken anything, but have improved my score by doing my own research. Nutrition and the right kind of exercise have made a difference. Thanks for posting solid, balanced information!

@Trich-l2x 1 day ago

Thank you for your informative video. I received my first call from a nurse 2 years ago with Osteopenia. My bones did not change much after the first year, and the doctor suggested I keep taking the calcium supplements and doing my exercises. I guess I was concerned and started walking and eating better. This year I felt differently, with back pain that hurt often, and my balance was off. I also have arthritis of my spine and neck. The new DEXA scan results were in my patient portal. I just checked it and am shocked by the change of .7% decrease in my BMD. The report stated Osteoporosis.

@coop5329 5 months ago

Be very skeptical of diagnoses that you are "pre" anything and need drugs. (Osteopenia, prediabetic, borderline hypertension, etc.) Dexa scans are based on the "average" size woman. Meaning if you are in the smallest or largest size group you are at an extreme end of the scale and it is extremely inaccurate there, for predicting fractures. It scans bone thickness. If you're small you have small bones; your normal thickness is still thinner than the "average". At 43 I was told I had osteopenia, start taking drugs right away. I refused, and those drugs ended up killing women and were taken off the market. (Don't you just love how women are used as guinea pigs by Big Pharma?) Now 73, still no fractures.
Keys to bone health are weight bearing exercise as long in life as possible, and vitamin D3 if you are low. Careful-too much can cause kidney stones. Quickest cause of bone loss is inactivity, such as being bedridden. Plain daily activity, (not talking gym workouts), is the key to preventing a lot of health problems lifelong. Too many hours at a desk/computer is not healthy; balance it with some outdoor activity if possible. Doctors are very good at inventing reasons why you need multiple prescriptions. No. 1 cause of mental problems in old age? Polypharmacy. Do your own research, make your own decisions.

@RadiUzunova 4 days ago

I workout constantly. No smoking. 8-9k steps a day. Eat home cooking food, almost zero added sugar. Im 40. My T score is +0.7. Lifestyle pays back.

@lollydiston445 5 months ago

I almost didn’t click on his because of its length. I’m glad I did. You held my attention throughout with good information and pleasant manner of talking. Thank you. Good job!

@thisorthat7626 3 weeks ago

Thank you for discussing the protein requirement healthy bones! Doctors often ignore the role of collagen in strong bones. Adding more protein to our diets as we get older is vital.

My medical provider posts all test results online. That suits me fine as my PCP has limited knowledge about tests and nutrition. I review my results and make decisions about what steps to take. This works to keep me healthy and away from prescriptions.

@aliciaguzman5287 4 months ago

My gynecologist referred me for a DEXA scan, due to my age (59). She gave me the results, osteopenia, over the phone in a quick call. I logged on to look at my scan results online and it clearly says I have osteoporosis of the spine (-3.1 T-score), and osteopenia in the hips and femur readings. Guess she missed that! I have spent a lot of time researching the situation, which is how I found this channel. I appreciate the full picture presented, thank you. Like some of the people commenting below, I do not like the pharmaceutical options, so I have an aggressive natural intervention game plan, which I just ran by my PCP and he approves!

@marianneacuna757 5 months ago

I was told a few years ago that I had osteopenia of the spine but that my hips were fine. I’m 66 now and have been doing strength training for over a year, eat the cleanest, most organic diet I can afford and take D3 with K2 as well as zinc and magnesium. I have never had a bone fracture ever. I do not take prescription meds for anything. I don’t care anymore what the DEXA scan says and in fact am never having another one.

@kristirichards2249 5 months ago

Imo the best thing to do for osteoporosis other than diet and exsrcise is work on balance to reduce fall risk as much as possible.

@sharlinestasio2460 5 months ago

thank you so very much for this info...you explain well and help this community much more than any doctor I've spoken to....after 2 years with -3.2 in spine, I have been very serious about strength training, protein and constant movement. You are a blessing...and encouragement for this community!!!

@onewomansjourney760 5 months ago

I am 52. My gynecologist (who I fired, lol) refused & argued why I wanted a Dexa scan. Even with family hx of early osteoporosis in my mother (lifestyle plays a factor in this too). I asked me primary care doctor who always proactive & he was gladly to submit a referral. I paid $48.00 cash price out of pocket at a very reputable private Endocrinology office to have my Dexa scan. I was dx'd with osteopenia. It's ridiculous insurance won't pay or doctor's aren't concerned until age 65 when many women already have full blood osteoporosis & fracture. Be proactive, take charge of your health. 😊

@ConniePretula 5 months ago (edited)

My naturopath recommended I have a REMS scan done recently. I was shocked to see I am osteopenic. I am 15 years post menopause and wasn’t able to do hormone therapy. I will be 65 in August and I have been lifting weights for 20 years and my vitamin D levels have always been very good. I eat a healthy diet but I have to be gluten and dairy free. I think my digestive issues have potentially caused my body to not absorb nutrients as well as it could. I’m glad I decided to have it done as I assumed I would be fine because of the lifestyle I live. Now I need to make some changes to support my bones properly going forward. What is sad is my doctor has never once talked to me about a DEXA scan or any bone health conversations. Thank you for explaining everything so clearly.

@richard01983 5 months ago

REMS also eliminates DEXA testing errors and the high margin of error making comparisons over time of little use. My experience with specialist pill doctors gave me none of the information in this excellent comprehensive video. My experience was that dealing with my osteoporosis has been a do it yourself project. I wasted many years finding out the information in this video. This video and a primary care NP is your best choice for osteoporosis treatment.

@orah12185 5 months ago

Hi and thanks. You asked so I got the diagnosis twice. Once when I was about 50 in around 2000. Bone density was a problem for most women on the maternal side of my family. The doctor was very nice and more concerned than I expected. He put me down as osteopnia so I could get insurance.

Later, my dedicated “bone doctor” admired his restraint when she changed the diagnosis to osteoporosis a few years later. I was on routine care from 2004 until last year. We are discussing what next now that I am 74 and have been holding up. Broken elbow, wrist, toe through the years. Only the wrist required surgery.

So, always got my information directly from the doctor during a dedicated interview.

@robertas.1739 1 month ago

Thank you for your clear and thoughtful presentations on bone health. I learned about my -3.9 T-score during a follow-up appointment with my oncologist. Unfortunately, I inherited the BRAC2 gene. I've had two cancer-related surgeries, so I'm currently NED. No one in our medical community has ever really discussed what I can and can't do, and what I should do to strengthen bones and prevent fractures. I receive an annual infusion (rather than a daily pill) and take calcium with D3 K2 M7.
Keep the excellent work!

@mahrukhpanday2097 5 months ago

I started Alandronate tablet once a week at the age of 53. I had Osteoporosis by then as shown in DEXA scan which I had requested from the doctor. I do Vinyasa Yoga and Weights. Still this is genetic. 6 years later my doctor stopped the tablet as I have improved to a safer Ostopenia score. It takes two years for the bones to improve. I was lucky I started young.

@redhen689 5 months ago

Almost 2 years ago, at the age of 65, I had my dexascan, and learned that I had osteopenia. The doctor knows me, and encouraged me to exercise. I had told her that I found several PTs on YouTube (and elsewhere) that had osteoporosis friendly exercise videos, and was increasing my strength training. I’m looking forward to being retested, hopefully in the next few months.

@MarilynDean-i5b 5 months ago

Thanks! ! For answering many of our questions from a Dr. who notified me as you have described. By phone pharmacy first telling me I needed to pick up three boxes of fassamox not me first. I immediately called the doctor and said to the receptionist I will not be taking the prescription prescribed for me for osteoporosis in the left femor and I hightailed it over to the pharmacy and told them to put it back the order on the shelf. I decided I would do it by healthy, eating and exercise. I was looking for a natural way of addressing the issue and that’s when I seen you, Sarah I have to say you made me feel relaxed and full of hope that I was not wrong in what I was feeling. I have to say this was an excellent informational video and it just makes everything more clearer in my head. I follow you and listen to you consistently and I do your exercises that are safe for osteoporosis. You are a lifesaver to us and for that, I am very grateful thankful and blessed. Take care my beautiful friend.❤️🤗🌞