bone, joint, and muscle disorders
Osteoporosis
Diagnosis of Osteoporosis
Bone density testing Tests for causes and risk factors A doctor may suspect osteoporosis in the following people: All women age 65 or older Women between menopause and age 65 who have risk factors for osteoporosis All men and women who have had a previous fracture caused by little or no force, even if the fracture occurred at a young age People whose bones appear less dense on x-rays or who have vertebral compression fractures on x-rays People who are at risk of developing Secondary osteoporosis None If osteoporosis is suspected and people have not had X-rays , doctors may order imaging to diagnose a fracture. Certain findings on x-rays suggest osteoporosis, but the diagnosis of osteoporosis is confirmed by Bone density testing can be used to detect or confirm suspected osteoporosis, even before a fracture occurs. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA scan)is the most useful test of bone density. The DXA scan takes high-energy and low-energy x-rays of the spine and hip, which are the sites at which major fractures are likely to occur. The difference between the high- and low-energy x-ray readings allows doctors to calculate bone density. The result is reported as a T-score, which compares a person's bone density to the density of a healthy person of the same sex and race/ethnicity at the age of peak bone mass, which is about age 30. The lower the bone density, the lower the T-score. A T-score of -2.5 or lower defines osteoporosis. DXA scans are painless, involve very little radiation, and can be done in about 10 to 15 minutes. They may be useful for monitoring the response to treatment as well as for making the diagnosis. DXA scans may also reveal osteopenia, a condition in which bone density is decreased but not as severely as in osteoporosis. People who have osteopenia also have an increased risk of fractures. It is important for your doctor to calculate a fracture risk assessment (FRAX) score, which provides an estimate of your risk for fracture. People who are already taking a Medications or an Blood tests may be done to measure calcium,vitamin D, and levels of certain hormones. Further testing may be needed to rule out treatable conditions that might lead to osteoporosis. If such a condition is found, the diagnosis is called Secondary osteoporosis . 