Differences between your bone density and the normal density is measured in units called standard deviations: Your bone density is compared to the normal bone density of a healthy young adult. Osteopenia (middle) and osteoporosis (right) occur when we lose more bone than we are able to make during normal bone remodeling as we age.ĭXA reports your results as a T-score. These tests can’t diagnose osteoporosis, but they can suggest the need for a DXA scan if they are abnormal.
Other bone density tests measure density of your arm, wrist, finger, or heel. DXA usually measure bone density in your hip and lower spine. Radiation exposure from the test is less than a chest x-ray. This test is a painless imaging study that scans your bones while you lay still for several minutes. The most common bone density test is called a DEXA scan. But when estrogen starts to drop around the time of menopause, there is a rapid loss of bone that lasts about three years. Estrogen helps prevent bone loss in women. The reason is the female hormone estrogen. Osteoporosis is five times more common in women than men. A fractured hip or wrist may be the first sign of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a common cause of fractures that can lead to disability. Osteoporosis causes your bones to become thin, weak, and brittle. If you are being treated for osteoporosis, a bone density test can tell your doctor how your bones are responding to treatment. It can tell you if you have osteoporosis and predict your risk for a bone fracture. A bone mineral density test is the best way to measure your bone health.
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