Are you due for a bone density check? The U.S. Preventive Companies Job Power introduced up to date osteoporosis screening pointers on January 14, 2025. Girls 65 years or older, or postmenopausal girls who’ve a number of danger components for osteoporosis, ought to get screened, based on the brand new pointers. This painless scan helps decide your bone mineral density (BMD), or the measure of important minerals like calcium and phosphorus in your bones. The extra minerals they comprise, the much less possible you’re to interrupt a bone. Right here’s every little thing you might want to know to arrange for a bone density scan, plus what the outcomes imply to your well being.
How sustaining bone density reduces your danger of osteoporosis
To get a transparent image of how bone density components into osteoporosis, it helps to know the precise make-up of your bones. They comprise two layers of residing tissue: the exhausting outer layer, referred to as the compact or cortical bone, and the spongy interior layer, referred to as the cancellous or trabecular bone. The interior layer resembles a honeycomb and is lighter and fewer dense than the outer layer.
When somebody has osteoporosis, the holes and areas are larger and extra porous than a wholesome bone, that means they’ve misplaced density or mass, says the Bone Well being and Osteoporosis Basis. A bone with bigger hole areas is extra vulnerable to fractures in comparison with a dense bone, explains Faryal Mirza, MD, an endocrinologist, professor of drugs on the College of Connecticut (UConn) College of Medication and the director of the UConn Middle for Osteoporosis in Farmington, CT.
Backside line: When bone density is decrease, the chance of creating osteoporosis will increase. (Study extra concerning the phases of osteoporosis right here.)
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A bone density check can reveal your danger of fractures
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Your physician might assess your osteoporosis danger by inquiring about previous fractures and your loved ones historical past. However probably the most dependable strategy to examine bone density is thru a bone density check (BDT) or scan.
“A bone density scan is how we typically diagnose osteoporosis and identifies who’s at a higher risk of having it,” says endocrinologist Marilyn Augustine, MD, an skilled in metabolic bone illness and an affiliate professor within the Division of Medication on the College of Rochester in Rochester, NY.
As a result of osteoporosis usually doesn’t present any signs—it’s typically referred to as a “silent”’ situation—folks might not know they’ve it till they’ve a fracture, says Dr. Augustine. For this reason it’s necessary to think about a bone density check earlier than that occurs.
When must you get a bone density check? New pointers
The up to date 2025 pointers for an preliminary bone density check or scan is for ladies 65 and older or postmenopausal girls at an elevated danger of osteoporosis. That features having a number of components similar to a genetic predisposition, a historical past of smoking, earlier fast weight reduction or having an inflammatory well being situation.
That stated, getting a bone density check in your fifties can deliver some peace of thoughts. In response to the Nationwide Institute on Getting older, girls who’re 50 or older are at a better danger of creating osteoporosis. There are a number of doable causes for this, however the greatest wrongdoer is decline in protecting estrogen that occurs throughout menopause.
“Estrogen is one of the hormones that helps people to build bone,” Dr. Augustine says. “So when estrogen levels drop, it results in bone loss.”
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How a bone density check works
In case your physician thinks you’re in danger for osteoporosis, she’s going to possible ship you for a bone density check. The one most individuals have is a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA or DXA) scan, says Dr. Augustine.
“It’s a painless, low radiation x-ray that scans the hip, spine and sometimes the forearm,” she says. “We look at the bigger bones because they are better at measuring bone density over time.”
Dr. Augustine says a DEXA scan is fast, lasting about 15 to half-hour. Typically, folks don’t want to alter right into a robe and might stay absolutely clothed.
Your supplier will often get the outcomes, which come within the type of a T-score, inside a couple of days. “The T-score compares the bone density of the person with that of a healthy young adult,” says Dr. Mirza. “The bigger the negative number is how much a person is off from the average bone density (of the reference population).”
What your scan outcomes imply
Your physician will consider your T-score alongside together with your private medical historical past to find out your osteoporosis danger. Within the meantime, right here’s what the numbers sign about your bone well being:
A T-score of -1.0 or larger signifies your bone density is taken into account regular.
A T-score between -1.0 and -2.4 means your bone density is low and you could be liable to creating osteoporosis.
A T-score of -2.5 or much less indicators you most likely have osteoporosis.
The subsequent steps will rely in your specific T-score. In case your bone density scan outcomes present you’re in danger or verify a analysis of osteoporosis, your physician might begin you on a prescription remedy similar to alendronate (Fosamax), raloxifene (Evista) or an injectable similar to denosumab (Prolia).
If you happen to’re involved about creating weak bones as you age, you would possibly wish to take into account adopting well being habits that may assist construct your bone density naturally. This will embody speaking to your physician about calcium dietary supplements, sustaining a wholesome weight and squeezing some weight-bearing train into your each day routine.
For extra on bone well being
Can Osteoporosis Be Reversed? Easy Modifications That Stop Bone Loss
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Improve Bone Energy and Steadiness With On-line Exercises That Can Assist Stop Osteoporosis
This content material shouldn’t be an alternative choice to skilled medical recommendation or analysis. All the time seek the advice of your doctor earlier than pursuing any remedy plan.
