DXA – What is it?
DXA stands for Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry. It is performed on the hip and spine, and on some people, the radius bone in the forearm.
It is a simple non-invasive test that measures the calcium in the bone; thereby determining the strength of your bones. It also can predict the likelihood of future breaks in other bones.
There are no needles or tunnels, and the patient remains fully dressed. The radiation used is very low – less than 10-15 roundtrips between New York and San Francisco. The whole process takes about 25 minutes.
When repeating a DXA, it is best return to the original testing place where the same testing equipment will be used. This provides a more accurate comparison to your previous test results. Standard x-rays cannot be used in place of bone density testing as they are not able to show osteoporosis until it is well advanced.
It is a simple non-invasive test that measures the calcium in the bone; thereby determining the strength of your bones. It also can predict the likelihood of future breaks in other bones.
There are no needles or tunnels, and the patient remains fully dressed. The radiation used is very low – less than 10-15 roundtrips between New York and San Francisco. The whole process takes about 25 minutes.
When repeating a DXA, it is best return to the original testing place where the same testing equipment will be used. This provides a more accurate comparison to your previous test results. Standard x-rays cannot be used in place of bone density testing as they are not able to show osteoporosis until it is well advanced.
DXA – Who needs one?
The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) recommends that you have a bone density test if:
A bone density test may also be necessary if you have any of the following:
- You are a woman age 65 or older
- You are a man age 70 or older
- You 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 1 ½ inches from your original height
What are T-scores and what does mine mean?
Your bone density results are reported using T-scores. A T-score shows how much your bone density is higher or lower than the bone density of a healthy 30 year old adult. A healthcare provider looks at the lowest T-score to diagnosis osteoporosis.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO)
The lower a person’s T-score, the lower the bone density. A T-score of -1.0 is lower than a T-score of +0.5 and a T-score of -3.5 is lower than a T-score of -3.0.
*****Your bone density test result also includes a Z-score that compares your bone density to what is normal in someone your age and body size. Among older adults low bone mineral density is common, so Z-scores can be misleading.
Most experts recommend using Z-scores rather than T-scores for children, teens, women still having periods and younger men. The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) does not recommend routine bone density testing in these age groups. A Z-score above
-2.0 is normal according to the International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD). A diagnosis of osteoporosis in younger men, premenopausal women and children should not be based on a bone density test result alone.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO)
- A T-score of -1.0 or above is normal bone density. Examples are +0.9 and -0.9.
- A T-score between -1.0 and -2.5 means you have low bone density or osteopenia. Examples are -1.1, -1.6 and -2.4.
- A T-score of -2.5 or below is a diagnosis of osteoporosis. Examples are -2.6, -3.3 and -3.9.
The lower a person’s T-score, the lower the bone density. A T-score of -1.0 is lower than a T-score of +0.5 and a T-score of -3.5 is lower than a T-score of -3.0.
*****Your bone density test result also includes a Z-score that compares your bone density to what is normal in someone your age and body size. Among older adults low bone mineral density is common, so Z-scores can be misleading.
Most experts recommend using Z-scores rather than T-scores for children, teens, women still having periods and younger men. The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) does not recommend routine bone density testing in these age groups. A Z-score above
-2.0 is normal according to the International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD). A diagnosis of osteoporosis in younger men, premenopausal women and children should not be based on a bone density test result alone.
What is Osteopenia?
Osteopenia, or Low Bone Density, is when your bone density is lower than normal, but not low enough to be considered osteoporosis. It may mean that you have a greater chance of getting osteoporosis if you lose bone in the future because you have less bone to lose.
Having low bone density does not necessarily mean that you are losing bone. Your bone density may still be considered normal for you. Some people never have what’s considered normal bone density for a variety of reasons, including genetics, body size or certain diseases and conditions. The older you are, the more likely you are to have low bone density.
While we know that people with osteoporosis should consider treatment to reduce their risk of broken bones, it hasn’t always been clear when to treat people who have low bone density. The online fracture risk assessment tool called FRAX can assist healthcare providers with these decisions.
Having low bone density does not necessarily mean that you are losing bone. Your bone density may still be considered normal for you. Some people never have what’s considered normal bone density for a variety of reasons, including genetics, body size or certain diseases and conditions. The older you are, the more likely you are to have low bone density.
While we know that people with osteoporosis should consider treatment to reduce their risk of broken bones, it hasn’t always been clear when to treat people who have low bone density. The online fracture risk assessment tool called FRAX can assist healthcare providers with these decisions.
What is Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disease of the bones. It happens when you lose too much bone, make too little bone or both. As a result your bones become weak and may break from a minor fall or even from simple actions like sneezing or bumping into furniture.
Osteoporosis means “porous bone.” If you look at healthy bone under a microscope, you will see that parts of it look like a honeycomb. If you have osteoporosis, the holes and spaces in the honeycomb are much bigger than they are in healthy bone. This means your bones have lost density or mass and that the structure of your bone tissue has become abnormal. As your bones become less dense, they also become weaker and more likely to break. If you’re age 50 or older and have broken a bone, talk to your doctor or other healthcare provider and ask if you should have a bone density test.
About 54 million Americans have osteoporosis and low bone mass. Studies suggest that approximately one in two women and up to one in four men age 50 and older will break a bone due to osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis is responsible for two million broken bones and $19 billion in related costs every year. By 2025, experts predict that osteoporosis will be responsible for approximately three million fractures and $25.3 billion in costs each year.
Osteoporosis is often called a silent disease because you can’t feel your bones getting weaker. Breaking a bone is often the first sign that you have osteoporosis or you may notice that you are getting shorter or that your upper back is curving forward. If you are experiencing height loss or your spine is curving, be sure to talk to your doctor or another healthcare professional right away as the disease may already be advanced.
Osteoporosis means “porous bone.” If you look at healthy bone under a microscope, you will see that parts of it look like a honeycomb. If you have osteoporosis, the holes and spaces in the honeycomb are much bigger than they are in healthy bone. This means your bones have lost density or mass and that the structure of your bone tissue has become abnormal. As your bones become less dense, they also become weaker and more likely to break. If you’re age 50 or older and have broken a bone, talk to your doctor or other healthcare provider and ask if you should have a bone density test.
About 54 million Americans have osteoporosis and low bone mass. Studies suggest that approximately one in two women and up to one in four men age 50 and older will break a bone due to osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis is responsible for two million broken bones and $19 billion in related costs every year. By 2025, experts predict that osteoporosis will be responsible for approximately three million fractures and $25.3 billion in costs each year.
Osteoporosis is often called a silent disease because you can’t feel your bones getting weaker. Breaking a bone is often the first sign that you have osteoporosis or you may notice that you are getting shorter or that your upper back is curving forward. If you are experiencing height loss or your spine is curving, be sure to talk to your doctor or another healthcare professional right away as the disease may already be advanced.
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