What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a bone disease characterized by low bone mineral density (BMD), decreased bone strength, and increased fracture risk.

What is osteopenia?

Osteopenia is lower than normal bone density (BMD) but not as severe as osteoporosis. It also has an increased fracture risk.

What is bone mineral density?

Bone mineral density, or BMD, is the measurement of the mineralization of bone. This helps determine bone strength and predict the risk of bone fractures.

Why screen for osteoporosis?

• 10 million people in the U.S. have osteoporosis. 80% (or 8 million) are women.
• 1 out of 2 women and 1 out of 8 men over age 50 will develop an osteoporosis related fracture.
• There are 1½ million osteoporosis related fractures each year. Of these fractures, 24% will die within one year.
• 65,000 women in America die from complications of a fracture.
• Osteoporosis can be prevented in most cases.

Who needs to be tested for osteoporosis?

• All women aged 65 and older.
• All men aged 70 and older.
• All postmenopausal women under age 65 that have one or more risk factors for osteoporosis. (i.e.: family history, smoking, low body weight, certain medication use, etc.)
• Anyone with a fragility fracture.
• Anyone with a disease, condition, or medication associated with osteoporosis.
• Anyone considering therapy for osteoporosis.
• Anyone being monitored with osteoporosis.

What is a DXA scan?

DXA, also known as DEXA or “Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry,” is a very weak x-ray that measures bone mineral density and helps determine the presence of osteoporosis.

Is a DXA scan safe?

All x-rays use some radiation. However, DXA scans use a very low dose of radiation, about 1/30th of that used in a standard chest x-ray.

Can anyone have a DXA scan?

If you are pregnant or have had x-ray contrast, barium study, or nuclear medicine scan within the last 30 days, you must wait until cleared. If you have any metal implants, discuss this with your doctor.