Osteoporosis - My Story - Your Health

Julie Hodgson
23 hours ago
11 min read

Below, I am sharing my recent experience with an incorrect osteoporosis diagnosis in the hope it helps others avoid a similar situation. I have found since my experience that many people are being diagnosed with osteoporosis based on questionable scan results and, even more worryingly, are started on medication with the potential for serious side effects, without confirmation, second opinions, or context.

I support clients with osteoporosis to improve bone density through diet and lifestyle in my practice, and I know how frightening, debilitating and painful that diagnosis can be. It can leave people feeling fearful, afraid to move, and like their body has suddenly become fragile overnight.

I was no exception.

I have spent a total of 23 years working in health, 12 years in the NHS as a Qualified Health Professional in critical care, 3 years in the NHS Diabetes Management and Prevention Programmes, and 8 years running my own business as a qualified Nutritionist and Health coach. I help people overcome chronic health issues through diet and lifestyle, often after they've been told nothing can be done, medication is the only option, or that their symptoms aren’t real. My experience discussed below has only confirmed what I have always told my clients.

When it comes to your health, ALWAYS do your own research.

Trust your instincts and don’t just take anyone’s word for it - no matter who they are or what credentials they hold. Your health is too valuable!

My Story

About six months ago, I went for a DEXA scan, the reportedly gold-standard test for measuring bone density and diagnosing osteopenia and osteoporosis. (thinning and weakening of the bones)

I was curious about my bone health as I’m reaching that age where we start thinking about these things, and osteoporosis runs in my family.

These were my results

Following my scan, I was told I have Osteoporosis of the spine and osteopenia in my right hip. My left hip was fine and within a healthy range.

If you understand T-scores – These were my results.

Spine (Lumbar): T = –2.7 (Osteoporosis)
Right Hip (femoral neck): T = –1.2 (Osteopenia)
Left hip (Femoral neck): T = - 0.7 (Normal)

If not, and you are interested, here’s the breakdown.

T-scores are the numbers that tell you how your bone density compares to that of a healthy young adult, usually someone around 30 years old, when bones are at their strongest.

A score of 0 means your bone density is average, while negative numbers show how far below that benchmark you are. For example, a T-score of –1.0 to – 2.5 suggests osteopenia (mild bone thinning), and – 2.5 or lower indicates osteoporosis.

In other words, the lower the T-score, the lower the bone density, and the higher the risk of sustaining a fracture at some point.

It’s important to know that these values don’t actually tell you about the strength of the bone – just the density, which is very important when considering taking medication.

World Health Organisation diagnostic criteria

T score of +2.0 to - 1.0, Normal bone density

T score of - 1.0 to - 2.5, Osteopenia (mild thinning of the bones)

T score of - 2.5 and lower, Osteoporosis (Severe thinning of bones)

What happened next

So, I was told that I had osteoporosis in my spine, along with crush deformities in my thoracic spine and osteopenia in my hip. I was advised to stop bending or twisting and to avoid impact exercises entirely. That meant stopping my usual running and yoga, and being extremely careful in the gym. Definitely no burpees, overhead or impact movements! I stuck to the basics with perfect form, petrified I was going to damage my spine. I even stopped extra activities like kayaking, paddleboarding, and swimming, just to be cautious for a very short while - I was fearful of causing more harm.

I like to call myself a young 47! I love being active and do my best to stay fit so I can keep up with all the things I enjoy, from hiking and sea swimming to cycling and paddleboarding. I actually feel the fittest I've been in a long time, and I’ve always believed in making the most of every day and having fun while doing it. I also want to keep up with two fit teenagers for as long as I can!

So, it was a really big deal, and one that far too many people, especially women, fall victim to. Even someone like myself, who doesn’t tend to trust a lot of the information I’m given in healthcare settings, still found myself falling into that trap. When you’re told your bones are fragile and you could fracture from doing something as simple as twisting or lifting, fear kicks in. It’s easy to stop moving, to follow the instructions to “be careful.”

Off on a little tangent...

The irony? The very thing you’re told to stop is the one thing that can help you rebuild strength, support your bones, and protect your independence. Exercise is one of the most powerful tools we have for protecting our health long-term and improving bone strength.

Safe, appropriate exercise, especially weight-bearing, resistance training, and mobility work, is essential whether you have osteoporosis or not. But too often, fear sets in and people stop exercising altogether.

They give up the one thing that could actually keep them strong, mobile, and independent. Inactivity contributes to a whole host of other problems, like sarcopenia (muscle loss), worsening bone density, joint stiffness, and increased risk of falling as we age.

I also fell foul of this - for a VERY short while.

I work very hard on my health and make a real effort to stay fit and strong, so the idea of suddenly being limited in how I move was very unsettling. Many people receive serious diagnoses every day, and I support clients who go through this, but it left me feeling fragile, very uncertain and thrown off balance.

Taking prescription medication

Worryingly, I was also prescribed Bisphosphonates, powerful drugs used to reduce fracture risk. These are prescribed when there’s a confirmed diagnosis of osteoporosis, typically a T-score of –2.5 or lower, and when other risk factors are present.

I don't know about you, but if I'm going to be taking medication and risking serious side effects, I want to be fully informed and confident in the diagnosis, and that the drug is completely necessary.

Side effects of bisphosphonates (drugs used to slow down resorption of bone, the breakdown of old bone tissue)

Digestive irritation
Esophagitis (inflammation of the oesophagus)
Stomach ulcers
Gastritis
Flu like symptoms
Bone, joint and muscle pain
Eye issues, including inflammation of the uvea
Atypical femur fractures
Osteonecrosis of the jaw (Where part of the jaw starts to die off)

I don’t share these side effects lightly, as it’s genuinely overwhelming and upsetting to see so many people suffering needlessly. While these medications are sometimes necessary, far too many, especially women, are prescribed them without proper follow-up or consideration of alternatives, of which there are many available to most people. These potential side effects are real and and they are serious, and the drugs should only be used when the benefits outweigh the risks.

My point of view purely, but Informed decisions should be the starting point of any treatment, not an afterthought, and I will not take anything before I am fully informed and confident it is the right thing to do and there are no alternatives. Medication absolutely has its place, but too often, it’s over-prescribed without much thought. A ten-minute appointment barely leaves time to reach for the prescription pad, let alone explore what’s really going on with your health. Lack of time, financial pressures, and a healthcare system built around quick fixes make it easier to hand out a prescription rather than to get to the root of your problem or find a solution through nutrition and lifestyle. People end up on drugs, sometimes for years, and the side effects can cause more harm than the original issue.

Being informed doesn’t make you difficult, it makes you engaged in your health. But if that what it takes, I truly support you to make a nuisance of yourself! I will support you all the way!

It's important to note also that T‑scores don’t tell you anything about the actual strength of your bone and risk of fracture. T-scores measure how your bone density compares to a healthy young adult. Relying on the T‑scores alone for treatment decisions may lead to over-treatment, unnecessary medication. Just because a T‑score of –2.5 is used to confirm osteoporosis, it doesn’t mean everyone with a score below –2.5 will fracture if they don't take medication, or that people with higher scores are safe. In fact, studies show that most osteoporotic fractures occur in individuals whose T‑scores are in the osteopenic or even normal range.

My own research

Firstly, I explored the International Society for Clinical Densitometry, the Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation, and the NICE guidelines.

I joined a wonderful, supportive Facebook group with over 4,000 members, all people sharing tales of very similar experiences, offering advice and further information.

I read around how T-scores relate to bone health, what factors can influence the accuracy of bone density readings, and when medication should be considered.

I found that several organisations acknowledge that there is a high rate of error in DEXA scanning, and many organisations recognise that DEXA scans are prone to errors.

The International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD) says that mistakes in positioning and analysis can lead to incorrect interpretations of bone density results and offers a patient handout on "How to Know if You’ve Had a Good Quality DXA Scan" - link below.

The Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation even offers training specifically on the Pitfalls of DEXA, highlighting how common technical and interpretation issues can impact accuracy.

In fact, studies have found that up to 90% of scans contain at least one error!!

This is a great handout on the different potential errors - https://iscd.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/5-ISCD-Patient-Resources-How-to-know-if-youve-had-a-good-quality-DXA-scan.pdf

It is very frightening to think these errors can lead to misdiagnoses and incorrectly suggest increased bone loss, as well as a heightened risk of a person sustaining a fracture.

Again, this can mean many people are incorrectly diagnosed with osteoporosis and prescribed unnecessary medication.

Major flaw in my results

I also found…

According to the International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD):

"If there is major discordance (a >1 SD difference between skeletal sites), interpretation must be cautious and consider clinical context and artefacts."

So, a difference in readings between skeletal sites they scan, i.e. the spine and hip, if there is over a 1SD difference in reading, for example, my Spine T score was - 2.7 and my left hip - 0.7. As above, 0 is the baseline. - There is a lot more than 1 SD between these two different areas measured.

This is known as a major discordance — and it should always raise a red flag. It is well established and documented in the research! Osteoporosis is a systemic condition, meaning it typically affects all bones evenly. So when a DEXA scan shows osteoporosis in one site (like the spine) but only osteopenia or even normal bone density in another (like the hip), this mismatch is called discordance.

This can indicate scan error, poor positioning, underlying conditions, and a need for further investigation. Yet, unfortunately, many people, especially women, are quickly prescribed bisphosphonates or similar medications without deeper assessment or proper follow-up.

This was also my experience.

My next course of action was to get a second opinion.

Given what I had read, I decided to go for a second scan. My results showed a major discordance, and I wanted to be confident in this life-changing diagnosis. This time I booked a REMS scan (Radiofrequency Echographic Multi Spectrometry). A new ultrasound-based technology recommended as a viable, more accurate alternative to DEXA. It is radiation-free and also tells you the strength of the bone, so you can determine whether medication is the best option for you or not. It helps you make an informed decision. You can then be advised on other options that may be more appropriate.

This is where I went - OsteoscanUK - run by an orthopaedic surgeon in Daventry, UK. Click on the link for more information.

My results - This time!

On reviewing my DEXA results, as I also expected, a major discordance, chance of error, was noted. As previously mentioned, something that should always prompt a second look, not a prescription pad!

This second scan then confirmed....... I had neither osteopenia nor osteoporosis! 🎉 😮‍💨

So, I didn’t need medication. And I didn’t have fragile bones. What I had was a misleading DEXA scan, a prescription for medication as a consequence, and a lucky gut instinct to -check!

These were my results;

Left neck of femur - - 0.7 (Normal)

Right neck of femur - -0.7 (Normal)

Spine - - 0.4 (Normal)

Even with a less positive result, understanding and having confidence in my diagnosis and the options available would have helped me make an informed decision about the next steps.

Lessons learnt from my experience

If you have been diagnosed with osteopenia or osteoporosis after a single scan, please know -

1). Discordance Matters

If there’s a big difference between your readings, your spine and hip T-scores (1 SD or more), it’s worth rechecking or retesting. (This is well established in the scientific literature and supported by all major authoritative bodies) - A good radiographer/surgeon will also be able to tell you if your positioning was also off.

2). Get the Full Picture

Ask for all your results.

Use tools like FRAX at fraxplus.org to assess real fracture risk

Consider a second opinion, like REMS available here - OsteoscanUK

3). Investigate and address the underlying causes, such as;

Menopause / low oestrogen
Being in a prolonged catabolic state - often from chronic stress and/or poor diet - (Being in a catabolic state for a long time breaks down muscle and bone)
Low vitamin D
Low calcium intake
Lacking other nutrients such as protein, vitamin K, magnesium, potassium, boron and other trace nutrients.
Lack of physical activity - Impact and strength
Smoking or excessive alcohol use
Certain prescription medications can contribute to bone loss, including proton pump inhibitors (such as omeprazole) used for heartburn, some diabetes drugs, injectable contraceptives, corticosteroids, certain antidepressants, and some cancer treatments.
Hyperthyroidism (Overactive thyroid gland)
Hyperparathyroidism (Overactive parathyroid gland)
Coeliac disease
Chrohns
Low body weight (However, maybe lower bone density is normal for you?)

4). Don’t Accept Medication Blindly

Medication is appropriate in some cases but only with clear evidence, a confirmed diagnosis, and an informed discussion about risks and benefits. Are there any natural or more suitable, safer alternatives? Can nutrition and lifestyle make a difference, and are you confident in your diagnosis?

5). Consider and get support with all the MANY ways to address osteoporosis and improve bone density naturally through diet and lifestyle. (My next blog, part 2, explores the many different ways to improve bone density, prevent and support osteoporosis)

Optimise calcium intake, vitamin D, and vitamin K₂
Ensure adequate magnesium, boron, zinc, and silica
Eat a protein-rich, anti-inflammatory, whole-food diet (Protein requirements of at least 1.2grams/kg body weight)
Consider supplements depending on your individual situation.
Exercise! Ensure weight-bearing and resistance exercise/weight training. Get support from someone to make sure you train safely and avoid injury.
Incorporate balance, posture, and impact training.
Balance hormones - oestrogen, testosterone, thyroid, cortisol, DHEA
Consider phytoestrogens - Plant compounds (found in foods like soy, flaxseed, chickpeas, and red clover) that mimic the action of estrogen in the body
Reduce inflammation with omega-3s, curcumin, and antioxidant-rich foods
Support gut health to ensure absorption of nutrients
Manage stress and improve sleep quality
Limit alcohol and quit smoking
Get regular sunlight exposure for vitamin D
Avoid chronic use of acid-blocking or corticosteroid medications (if possible)
Test and track your bone turnover markers (markers of osteoblast and osteoclast activity, bone remodelling cells - indicating efficient bone formation, or not).

Remember! Being informed doesn’t make you difficult, it makes you engaged in your health. But if that what it takes, I truly support you to make a nuisance of yourself! And I will support you all the way!

For more information, check out the following