Bone Density Test

During your annual exam, a bone density test may be included. Below are some things you can expect from a bone density test according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation:

• 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

National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends that you have a bone density test if:

• you are a woman age 65 or older
• you are a man age 70 or olderyou break a bone after age 50
• you are a woman of menopausal age with risk factors
• you are a postmenopausal 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