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How Dense Are Your
Bones? 
Why
Measure Bone Density?
Some medications have a tendency to
“leach” (dissolve) or prevent calcium from being deposited into the bones. In order to detect this, your physician may order
a bone density test when:
v
you first start a (new) medication that has a
reduction in bone density as a POSSIBLE side effect
v
if you or others notice a tendency for injury
v
as a normal precaution, or diagnostic, especially
if there is a history of osteoporosis in your family history (dowager’s hump,
excessive loss of height as parents aged, etc.)
The test results
provide:
v
information on the density (mineralization) of
bone.
v
bone density values, which are compared to an ideal
standard and to a group of similar age, ethnic background and sex as the person being
tested.
v a
baseline for detecting any future changes.
Who Should Have Bone
Density Testing? – Specific factors contribute to low bone density- if you have one
or more of these factors talk to your specialist about the need for a bone density test.
v
Low body weight
v
Inadequate calcium intake
v
Lack
of physical activity
v
Smoking
v
Heavy alcohol use
v
Irregular menstrual cycles
v
Post menopausal status
v
History of previous fracture
v
Family history of osteoporosis
v
Family history of fractures, especially hip
fractures
v
History of scoliosis
v
Certain medications (e.g. prednisone, anti-seizure
medications)
The Test:
v Painless
OUT PATIENT procedure
v No
preparation required
v Extremely
low-dose radiation
v Test
takes less than 30 minutes, normally.
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