Who should get an osteoporosis test?

Your doctor will let you know if you need a bone mineral density tested to check for osteoporosis. Here are some of the criteria that your doctor may look at when determining whether you need a BMD test.

• All women over 65 years old should be tested for osteoporosis regardless of the presence or absence of risk factors.

• Younger women who are postmenopausal (younger women who have stopped menstruating) due to premature menopause or surgical or artificial menopause and have one or more risk factors other than being female and postmenopausal.

• Postmenopausal women (women who have stopped menstruating) who have fractures to confirm the presence of osteoporosis and to determine the severity of the condition if present.

• Women who are deficient in the female hormone, estrogen, and are at risk of developing osteoporosis.

• Individuals who are taking, or are planning to take long-term glucocorticoid therapy (steroid therapy).

• Individuals with an overactive parathyroid (primary hyperparathyroidism).

• Individuals who are taking osteoporosis drug therapy to monitor the effectiveness of the therapy.

• Individuals with vertebral (spine) abnormalities.