Bone Density Exam/Test

A bone density test is the only test that can diagnose osteoporosis before a broken bone occurs. This test helps to estimate the density of your bones and your chance of breaking a bone. Experts recommend a bone density test of the hip and spine by a central DXA machine to diagnose osteoporosis. DXA stands for dual energy X-Ray Absorptiometry.
You can find out whether you have osteoporosis or if you should be concerned about your bones by getting a bone density test. Some people also call it a bone mass measurement test. This test uses a machine to measure your bone density. It estimates the amount of bone in your hip, spine and sometimes other bones. Your test result will help your healthcare provider make recommendations to help you protect your bones. Are you a post menopausal woman or man age 50 and older? Have you recently broken a bone? If you answered “yes” to both questions, you should talk to your doctor or other healthcare provider about getting a bone density test if you’ve never had one.


What is purpose of Bone Density Test?
A bone density test tells you if you have normal bone density, low bone density (osteopenia) or osteoporosis. It is the only test that can diagnose osteoporosis. The lower bone density increases the risk of breaking your bone. A bone density test can help you and your healthcare provider with below points.
Learn if you have weak bones or osteoporosis before you break a bone
Predict your chance of breaking a bone in the future
See if your bone density is improving, getting worse or staying the same
Find out how well an osteoporosis medicine is working
Let you know if you have osteoporosis after you break a bone

Who Should Have a Bone Density Test?
Experts recommend that you have a bone density test if:
You are a woman age 65 or older
You are a man age 70 or older
You break a bone after age 50
You are a woman of menopausal age with risk factors
You are a post menopausal woman under age 65 with risk factors
You are a man age 50-69 with risk factors

A bone density test may also be necessary if you have any of the following:
An X-ray of your spine showing a break or bone loss in your spine
Back pain with a possible break in your spine
Height loss of ½ inch or more within one year
Total height loss of 1½ inches from your original height


Types of Bone Density Tests
Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry machine: DEXA is a non-invasive test to measure bone density.
Central DXA: Experts recommend a bone density test of the hip and spine using a central DXA machine to diagnose osteoporosis. DXA stands for dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. When testing can’t be done on the hip and spine, expert suggests a central DXA test of the radius bone in the forearm. In some cases, the type of bone density testing equipment used depends on what is available in your community. Healthcare providers measure bone density in the hip and spine for several reasons. First, people with osteoporosis have a greater chance of fracturing these bones. Second, broken bones in the hip and spine can cause more serious problems, including longer recovery time, greater pain and even disability. Bone density in the hip and spine can also predict the likelihood of future breaks in other bones.
With most types of bone density tests, a person remains fully dressed, but you do need to make sure no buttons or zippers are in the way of the area to be scanned. The test usually takes less than 15 minutes. Bone density tests are non-invasive and painless. This means that no needles or instruments are placed through the skin or body. A central DXA uses very little radiation. You are actually exposed to 10–15 times more radiation when you fly round trip between New York and San Francisco.
When repeating a bone density test, it is best to use the same testing equipment and have the test done at the same place each time. This provides a more accurate comparison with your last test result. Although it is not always possible to have your bone density test at the same place, it is still important to compare your current bone density scores to your previous scores.
Standard x-rays cannot be used in place of bone density tests. Unlike bone density tests, X-rays are not able to show osteoporosis until the disease is well advanced. However, X-rays can be used in addition to a DXA to detect broken bones in the spine or elsewhere.

Screening Tests: Also called peripheral tests, screening tests measure bone density in the lower arm, wrist, finger or heel. The types of peripheral tests are:
pDXA (peripheral dual energy x-ray absorptiometry)
QUS (quantitative ultrasound)
pQCT (peripheral quantitative computed tomography)
Screening tests can help identify people who are most likely to benefit from further bone density testing. They are also useful when a central DXA is not available. These tests are often done at health fairs and in some medical offices. Screening tests cannot accurately diagnose osteoporosis and they should not be used to see how well an osteoporosis medicine is working. If you have a peripheral bone density test, you should follow up with your healthcare provider. Discuss whether you need additional testing, such as a central DXA test of the hip and/or spine. The results of a peripheral test cannot be compared with the results of a central DXA.
People of Larger Size. Most central DXA machines cannot measure bone density in the hip and spine of patients who weigh more than 300 pounds. Some newer machines can measure bone density in people who weigh up to 400 pounds, but these machines are not widely available. When the hip and spine cannot be measured, some healthcare providers recommend a central DXA test of the radius bone in the forearm and a peripheral bone density test of the heel or another bone. Doing both of these tests might provide more complete information.

Where to Have a Bone Density Test?
Most people need a prescription or referral from their healthcare provider to have a bone density test. If you’re not sure where to go for a bone density test, contact your healthcare provider or your insurance plan to find out where the test is available. Also, most hospital radiology departments, private radiology groups and some medical practices offer bone density testing.
When you go for your appointment, be sure to take the prescription or referral with you. The testing centre will send your bone density test results to your healthcare provider. You may want to make an appointment to discuss your results with your healthcare provider.

How Often to Repeat a Bone Density Test
People taking an osteoporosis medicine should repeat their bone density test by central DXA every one – two years. After starting a new osteoporosis medicine, many healthcare providers will repeat a bone density test after one year.

Understanding Bone Density Test Results
Your bone density test results are reported using T-scores. A T-score shows how much your bone density is higher or lower than the bone density of a healthy 30-year old adult. A healthcare provider looks at the lowest T-score to diagnosis osteoporosis.

What Your T-score Means. According to the World Health Organization (WHO):
A T-score of -1.0 or above is normal bone density. Examples are 0.9, 0 and -0.9.
A T-score between -1.0 and -2.5 means you have low bone density or osteopenia. Examples are T-scores of -1.1, -1.6 and -2.4.
A T-score of -2.5 or below is a diagnosis of osteoporosis. Examples are T-scores of -2.6, -3.3 and -3.9.
The lower a person’s T-score, the lower the bone density. A T-score of -1.0 is lower than a T-score of 0.5 and a T-score of -3.5 is lower than a T-score of -3.0.