• Choose a category
• All
• Classic-Fiction

Bone Density Tests

The only way to determine if you have osteoporosis or are at risk of developing it is to have a test that evaluates the density of your bones, primarily in the spine, hip, or wrist (the most common sites of fracture). Some newer tests are able to measure bone density in the middle finger and heel or tibia (the inner, thicker bone in the lower leg). All bone density tests are painless, noninvasive, and safe; most use low-dose radiation or ultrasound. Your bone density is compared with two standard measurements—the bone density normally expected in someone your age, sex, and size; and the peak bone density of a healthy young adult of the same sex. This information helps your doctor evaluate your risk of developing osteoporosis and fractures and determine if you need treatment. You may have to repeat the test periodically to assess the rate at which you are losing bone or to monitor the effectiveness of any bone-strengthening treatment you are undergoing. The following are the most common bone density tests:

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry

DEXA is an imaging technique that can measure bone density anywhere in the body. The spine and hip, and the wrist, heel, or finger are the sites most often tested. DEXA uses a very low dose of radiation and can detect bone loss of as little as 1 percent.

Single-energy X-ray absorptiometry

Single-energy X-ray absorptiometry measures bone density in the wrist or heel.

Quantitative ultrasound

Quantitative ultrasound uses sound waves to measure bone density at the heel, tibia, and kneecap.

Quantitative CT scan

A quantitative CT scan is usually used to measure bone density in the spine but can also be used at other sites, such as the wrist.

Radiographic absorptiometry

Radiographic absorptiometry uses an X-ray of the hand and a small metal wedge to calculate bone density.

Osteopenia

If the results of your bone density test fall below the normal range for a young adult, your doctor may tell you that you have osteopenia, a term that describes low bone mass. Osteopenia is not a disease, but it indicates that you may be at increased risk of developing osteoporosis. Your doctor will recommend steps you can take to prevent osteoporosis, such as taking calcium supplements and doing weight-bearing exercises.

Treatment

If you have osteoporosis, your doctor will discuss with you the various treatments available to stem further bone loss and to help build up bone. He or she will suggest that you get as much weight-bearing exercise as possible to help keep your bones strong. Your doctor may also recommend that you wear pads called hip protectors, which fit tightly around each hip. Each day, you should take in at least 1,500 milligrams of calcium (1,000 milligrams if you are a woman who is taking estrogen) and between 400 and 800 international units (IUs) of vitamin D (which helps your body absorb calcium). Many calcium supplements now contain vitamin D.

Medications and Bone Loss

A number of medications can contribute to bone loss in both women and men, primarily by reducing the body’s ability to absorb calcium from the intestines. If you are taking one of the following medications regularly, ask your doctor if it could be affecting your bone density. You may be able to take the medication in a different way (such as through an inhaler or by injection) to bypass the intestines, which prevents the medication from having an effect on the bones.

• Corticosteroids Long-term therapy with glucocorticoids for inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, lupus, and inflammatory bowel disease can stimulate cells that destroy bone and inhibit cells that build bone.

• Antiseizure medications High doses of the antiseizure medications phenytoin and phenobarbital for treating epilepsy reduce the body’s ability to use vitamin D, which helps the body absorb calcium.

• Cholestyramine The cholesterol-lowering medication cholestyramine reduces the body’s ability to absorb vitamin D.

• Thyroid