Is Bone Mineral Density Testing Difficult or Painful?

Bone mineral density testing is non-invasive, painless and safe. Some bone mineral density tests use sound waves while others use minute amounts of radiation to determine the density of your bones. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry is noted for both its accuracy and low amount of radiation exposure.

Who Needs a Bone Mineral Density Test?

• All men and women over 65 years of age should have a bone mineral density test

• Women and men with one or more of the major risk factors or two or more minor risk factors should also be tested.

What is a T-score?

A T-score is the most common result from a bone densitometry test. A T-score will compare your bone density to that of a younger person of the same gender. Be sure to know your T-score results and follow the T-scores of bone densitometry testing whenever the test is conducted.

A T-score between 1 and 2.5 indicates a loss of bone mass. A T-score that is equal or lower than 2.5 brings a diagnosis of osteoporosis.

Your doctor must take all of your risk factors into consideration in order to make recommendation for treatment.

Keeping Your Bones Healthy

If you have already been diagnosed with osteoporosis, there are a variety of things you can do to assure you will remain active. Exercise daily, take recommended doses of calcium and Vitamin D and make a few simple lifestyle changes. These things will protect you from the dangers that come with advanced osteoporosis.

Calcium

Calcium is essential for the formation and maintenance of good bone health. Foods that contain calcium are milk and diary products, sardines and fish, tofu, green leafy vegetables, calcium fortified juices and other products. Cheese, yogurt, almonds sesame seeds, whole wheat bread, figs, broccoli and Florida oranges also are great sources of dietary calcium.

Food is the best source of calcium that your body can get. However, if you aren’t getting enough, ask your family doctor to recommend a calcium supplement.