When doing ‘Everything Right’ isn’t enough: My Journey with Osteopenia and ‘wake-up call’ with my Bindex bone density scan.
I have spent my entire life doing everything ‘right’.
At 74 years old, I am proud of my lifestyle. I’ve always maintained a nutrient-rich diet, kept my alcohol intake very low, and never smoked. I worked an active job, and for years, I’ve consistently hit the gym to lift quite heavy weights two to three times a week. If you had asked me about my bone health, I would have confidently told you I was in the clear. Even the Royal Osteoporosis Society’s risk checker agreed with my thoughts: I simply didn’t have any of the typical lifestyle risk factors for bone loss.
So, when we started to offer Bindex Bone Density Scanning Test in Buckinghamshire at SOMA House, I was, as I always am with our services and therapies, keen to trial out the whole experience, just as our SOMA House guests would. Before I recommend anything to a client, I like to have been through it myself.
The result, however, came as a complete shock. It indicated early bone thinning, known as osteopenia.
Seeking confirmation
Disbelieving and frankly a bit worried, I decided to seek a second opinion and went for a formal DEXA scan, which is the more widely known bone density scanning test. The results were identical for my hip bone. The Bindex scan had been spot-on.
I guess it is also a benefit to my clients, as I’ve now had first-hand experience of both. Of course this is personal to me, and everyone will have different bone scanning results, but the question of Bindex vs DEXA, for me was answered. Both delivered great reports, and accurate readings, but the Bindex one is less expensive.
Bindex vs DEXA – How the two bone scans compare
For anyone weighing up the two tests, here’s how they compare.
Bindex uses a small ultrasound device at the shin bone to estimate hip bone density – quick, involves no radiation, and can be done in a clinic like ours without waiting for a hospital slot. DEXA works differently: it passes two low-dose X-ray beams through the hip and spine, and measures how much of each beam is absorbed by bone versus soft tissue to calculate bone density directly at those sites. It’s the scan most people have heard of; it’s available free on the NHS, but only via a GP referral if you meet specific risk criteria, so for many people going private is the realistic route.
We wrote an article comparing DEXA vs Bindex Bone Density Scan Tests, if you want to learn more.
The Bindex pocket-sized ultrasound device provides a quick, highly accurate estimate of bone density.
The Results, side by side
My Bindex scan measured a Density Index of 0.800 g/cm² at the proximal femur – my hip. That score landed in the amber ‘additional investigation required’ band, just shy of the higher-risk zone, rather than giving an all-clear. My DEXA scan then gave me a T-score of -2.1 for that same hip, which the World Health Organisation classification places in the osteopenia range. Two different scales, two different machines – but the same real-world conclusion: my hip bone density needed attention.
Bindex Bone Scan Report
DEXA Bone Scan Report
The Biology we can’t outrun
Initially, I felt a sense of frustration. Why had I spent decades lifting heavy weights if my bones were thinning anyway?
But then I learned a vital lesson about human biology: we cannot entirely outrun our genetics or the natural aging process. No matter how many weights we lift, our bodies naturally begin to break down bone faster than we build it as we age. For women, post-menopausal hormonal changes accelerate this.
However, my active lifestyle wasn’t wasted. While my bones have naturally thinned, my heavy lifting has built strong muscles, excellent balance, and robust joints. Those are the very things that prevent falls – which is where the real danger of fractures lies. Having osteopenia is a warning light, not a crash. It means I have caught this early, and I have the power to do something about it.
My Action Plan: Nourishing and stimulating my bones
Because I caught this at the osteopenia stage, I have time to take control and change my course. Bone remodelling is a slow, steady process, and the biological cycle takes time.
So, I have a 9-month plan which I will put into action:
- Targeted Nutrition: I have introduced a high-quality Vitamin D supplement to ensure my body has the essential building blocks to absorb calcium and support bone mineralization.
- PEMF Therapy: I have started Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy sessions at SOMA House in Buckinghamshire, three times a week. PEMF uses low-frequency electromagnetic fields to stimulate cellular activity, encouraging bone cells (osteoblasts) to regenerate and improve bone density.
- Power Plate Sessions: I now use this machine once or twice a week on their recommended Bone Density targeted routine. The vibrations signal the osteoblast to increase the remineralisation of the bone and the muscular contractions prompt further structural reinforcement
- Consistency: I am continuing my heavy weightlifting and active lifestyle to keep the physical load on my skeleton.
Looking to the future
After 9 months, following my plan, I will take the Bindex Bone Density scan again to hopefully see some positive results. Allowing 9 months gives my body enough time to complete a full bone-remodelling cycle. I will report back on my journey, so sign up to the SOMA House newsletter (in the footer) or follow us on socials (links also in footer) to keep updated with my journey.
What does this mean for you?
Getting a scan result you don’t want to believe is scary. But knowing the truth is empowering. Thanks to the convenience and accuracy of my initial Bindex scan, I didn’t waste years letting my bones quietly thin in the dark. I caught it, I understood it, and now, I’m taking charge and doing something about it.
If you think your healthy lifestyle means you don’t need to check, think again. It’s a silent niggle, that you won’t feel until it might be too late.
Get your bones scanned – knowledge truly is power.
Find out more about Bindex Bone Density Scans or Contact us to book yours today.
