|
The Bone Mineral Density Test
It's important to understand what to expect
during and after a BMD test so you can take advantage of all the options
available to protect your bone health.
Millions of women in the United States have thinning bones. In fact,
thinning bones affect over half of all women over 50. What's more, it's a
'silent disease,' with no visible symptoms. That means you could have
thinning bones and not even know it.
Why Your Doctor Prescribed
a BMD Test
Your doctor may have scheduled your BMD test
for a number of reasons. If you're postmenopausal, you may be at increased
risk for bone loss. In fact, one third of a woman's lifetime bone loss can
occur in the first 5 years after menopause. In addition, if you recently
discontinued hormone therapy (HT), significant bone loss can occur within
12-15 months after you stop HT and can continue thereafter. So it's
important to monitor your bone health with a BMD test.
The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) lists several risk factors that
can contribute to thinning bones or osteoporosis. These include family
history, Caucasian (white) or Asian descent, thin build, smoking, infrequent
exercise, too many daily alcoholic or caffeinated beverages, or too little
calcium and vitamin D. Be sure to discuss your risk factors with your
doctor.
The BMD Test. Simple.
Quick. Painless.
Compared to many tests women take, the BMD
test is a breeze. It's a touch less scan, similar to an x-ray, so it's
painless. You don't have to undress, so it's simple. And the test is over in
just a few minutes, so it's quick. It may be just a matter of lying on the
table for a DEXA test while the arm of the machine scans over your body.
Two Types of BMD Test
1. Peripheral machines measure your
finger, wrist, or heel. These exams are typically used as an initial
screening; however, there are some disadvantages. Peripheral tests do not
measure the bone density in the hip and spine, which are the areas of
concern if they break due to osteoporosis. Also, these tests are not
especially sensitive, so they tend to underreport your bone density. If a
peripheral test indicates your bones are thinning, you may need a more
comprehensive exam called a DEXA test.
2. DEXA tests measure your hip, spine, or total body. These tests are
considered the "gold standard" in measuring your bone health. The DEXA test
is a highly sensitive scan, and is more comprehensive than the peripheral
machines so results are more accurate. This makes the DEXA scan the best way
to tell if you have thinning bones. The test is easy to take; you just lie
down and the machine scans over your body in just a few minutes.
Should you ask about a bone
density test?
The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF)
recommends bone density testing for all women over age 65. The NOF also
recommends bone density testing for all women under the age of 65 who have
one or more risk factors for osteoporosis, not including menopause.
A bone density test is a simple and painless way to help your doctor measure
the health of your bones. It may also be used to monitor your rate of bone
loss and response to therapy.
Early on, osteoporosis is a silent disease, so you may not see any signs.
However, it can eventually lead to broken bones or the disfiguring
“dowager’s hump.” The good news is, if osteoporosis is detected early
enough, its effects may be prevented.
What are the odds?
Many women have osteoporosis: 58% ages 50-59,
74% ages 60-69, and 92% over the age of 70.
|
