Osteoporosis Tests

Osteoporosis decreases your bone mineral density (BMD), causing your bones to become weak and brittle and fracture from fairly mild falls.

Tests can be performed to determine bone mineral density and therefore determine the presence or development of osteoporosis. These tests often look at the bone mineral density of the hip, spine, wrist or heel.

A common bone mineral density test is the dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan. The DEXA scan measures the bone density in the spine and at the hip. When performed regularly, that is, at 2 year intervals, doctors can monitor your bone density and detect osteoporosis early.

Early detection of osteoporosis is important as early treatment and prevention will delay the progression of osteoporosis.

Other types of bone mineral desity tests and scans used to diagnose osteoporosis are:

• SXA - Single Energy Xray Absorptiometry
• QUS - Quantitative Ultrasound
• QTC - Quantitative Computed Tomography
• RA - Radiographic Absorptiometry
• DPA - Dual Photon Absorptiometry
• SPA - Single Photon Absorptiometry

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.