Let's Get Physical

Medicare Wellness Exam

Last week I had the CT Cardiac Calcium scan as well as the bone density test. I was able to schedule both of the tests last week at the same location 45 minutes apart, so that was a time-saver for sure. Both of them were non-invasive and quick. 

The bone density results came back that same afternoon, and it showed that I have osteopenia, which is a loss of bone density. Mine is located in both hips. Experts think that 30% of people over age 50 have some degree of bone density loss. Females are 4 times more likely than males to have osteopenia.

Fortunately my results are at the lowest end of the osteopenia scale, which means I won't require any prescription medication at this time. The doctor just wants me to take 2000 units of Vitamin D3 each day, as well as 600 mg of Calcium twice a day. That certainly seems manageable enough. And then she will request a repeat of the test in 2-3 years.

The CT Cardiac Calcium scan results were not so quick to come back. I just received the report from the lab yesterday. It indicates that my total coronary calcium score is 10. The test measures five different areas of the heart, and four of the five had a reading of 0. The fifth, Left Anterior Descending, is where the 10 came in. Any score from 1-99 puts you at a mildly increased risk for a heart attack or stroke.

My doctor has not had a chance to review the test yet, but I am anticipating that she will view these results as pretty good for someone of my age. I don't think any medication will be required at this time.

Cheers to Seventy Years

pickleball party

Today was a new dawn and a new decade as I turned 70. I began my celebration yesterday when the gals at my pickleball facility threw a little party for me after our clinic. Can't think of a better way to kick things off than pickleball and good friends!

There's always something special about leaving one decade and entering another. I can't say that I really feel any different. Having just completed my annual Medicare Wellness Exam, they obviously look at things a little differently. The cholesterol level that was considered mildly elevated last year now is considered a little more menacing now that my age has a 7 in it instead of a 6. Even though the blood work did not show it to have raised much at all.

The doctor has recommended that I undergo a CT Cardiac Calcium Test, which is a noninvasive test that looks for calcium deposits in the heart arteries. Because it is considered a screening test, my insurance will not cover it. I spoke with the radiology booking people today, and they advised that the CT would cost me $125. As I think the information will be beneficial, I went ahead and scheduled the test for next month.

My doctor also has been after me to get a bone density test done. I have never had one, and I tried for the past two years to get one scheduled. My prior insurance carrier would not cover that test either because they said I don't have any underlying conditions to warrant it. Hello, old person here! Surprisingly, my new carrier will cover this test. I was lucky enough to be able to schedule both of them back to back so I only have to make one trip to the radiology center.

My bloodwork also indicated elevated thyroid hormone levels. This led the doctor to suggest thyroid medication. As I don't have any of the signs of hyperthyroidism, I am reluctant to jump on the medication bandwagon. It occurred to me to question whether the flu shot or Covid shot could impact the thyroid levels in a blood test. Guess what? They BOTH can, and as I had taken one of each in the two weeks prior to the blood work, that makes me wonder if the results were reliable. The doctor agreed with me, and suggested that I have my blood test redone in four weeks. That seems very reasonable to me. Here's hoping that the level will be back in the normal range by then. I do not take any prescription medications, and I sure would like to keep it that way.