Test good way to screen for osteoporosis

Q: I’ve never had a fracture or bone health issues. Should I still get a bone density test?

A: It depends. A bone density test uses a low dose of X-rays in a quick, noninvasive way to measure the amount of calcium and other minerals in a segment of bone, usually the hips and spine. By identifying decreases in bone mineral density, your health care provider can determine your risk of fractures, and diagnose and monitor osteoporosis progression.

Most young, healthy people do not need a bone density test. But as you age, your risk for osteoporosis increases because bone density tends to decrease as people grow older. That is especially true for women. If you’re a woman 65 or older, a bone density test is recommended.

For men without fractures, the answer isn’t quite as clear. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force doesn’t recommend routine bone density testing for men. Because men have a higher bone mass and lose bone more slowly than women, they’re at a lower risk of fracture. However, up to 1 in 4 men older than 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis. Groups such as the National Osteoporosis Foundation still recommend testing for men 70 and older.

Men 50-69 and women younger than 65 also might want to have a bone density test if they have risk factors for osteoporosis, including a family history of the disease or a history of fractures. Another risk factor is taking certain kinds of drugs that can interfere with the body’s process of rebuilding bone. People older than 50 who have broken a bone and people who have lost 1.5 inches of height or more also might need a bone density test to screen for osteoporosis.