The “Silent” Side of Oestrogen Suppression: What It’s Really Like to Get a DEXA Scan

A photo of me having my DEXA

We talk a lot about the common, front-and-centre side effects of oestrogen-suppressing medications. The hot flushes, the joint aches, the fatigue — they make themselves known every single day. But there is another side effect that is entirely quiet, yet incredibly important to keep an eye on: osteoporosis. (NHS)

Because oestrogen plays a massive role in protecting and maintaining our bone density, suppressing it means our bodies can start breaking down bone faster than they can rebuild it. (Newson Clinic)

To make sure my bones are staying strong, my doctor recently sent me for a DEXA scan. I’ll admit, any scan can bring up a little bit of scanxiety. But having just gone through it — and happily received my results — I wanted to demystify the process, explain how they actually score your bones, and share a bit of good news.

What Actually Happens During a DEXA Scan?

If you’ve never had one, the good news is that a DEXA (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) scan is easily one of the most straightforward, painless medical tests you can have. (Newson Clinic)

• No tunnels: Unlike an MRI, you aren’t slid into a tight tube. You simply lie flat on a padded, open table.
• You stay dressed: There’s no draughty hospital gown required. You just need to wear comfortable clothes without metal zips, snaps, or underwired bras.
• Quick and quiet: A large mechanical arm passes slowly over your body to take the images, focusing primarily on your hip and lower spine (the areas most vulnerable to bone thinning).
• Tiny radiation: It uses a very low dose of radiation, much less than a standard chest X-ray. In fact, it’s so low that the technician can usually sit right in the room with you.

The whole thing is over in about 10 to 15 minutes. You get up, put your shoes on, and get on with your day.

Understanding the Score: What is a T-Score?

When your results come back, they don’t just say “your bones look good.” Instead, you are given a T-score. (NHS)

A T-score compares your bone density to that of a healthy, young adult at “peak” bone mass. The World Health Organisation groups these scores into three clear brackets: (Royal Osteoporosis Society)

T-Score Range, What It Means

-1.0 or higher

Within Normal Limits (Strong, healthy bones)

Between -1.0 and -2.5

Osteopenia (Mildly reduced bone density — a warning to take action)

-2.5 or lower

Osteoporosis (Significant bone thinning; treatment is usually recommended)

A quick note on standard deviation: The numbers (like -1 or -2.5) represent “standard deviations”. A score of 0 means your bones are exactly the same density as the young adult average. (Royal Osteoporosis Society)

My Results (And Why I’m Celebrating)

I recently got my results back, and I am incredibly relieved to report that my scores came back “within normal limits.”

When you are on oestrogen suppressants, “normal” is a massive win. It means that despite the medication doing its job to suppress the hormones, my bones are currently holding their own.

Having this baseline is incredibly empowering. It means my healthcare team and I can monitor things over time, and I can keep focusing on proactive bone-strengthening habits: eating a calcium-rich diet, keeping my Vitamin D topped up, and engaging in weight-bearing exercises to keep those bone cells active. (Lanarkshire Private Clinic)

If you are on hormone-suppressing therapies and haven’t had a baseline DEXA scan yet, I highly encourage you to advocate for one. It’s quick, it’s painless, and knowing exactly where you stand is the best way to protect your long-term mobility and health. (Lanarkshire Private Clinic)

My best scan so far!

Julie J Farrell is a wellbeing practitioner and breast cancer survivor. She is a companion to those on their own cancer journeys, helping them move from the feeling of chaos to calm using proven wellbeing tools.

www.quietmindlotus.co.uk

Thank you!