Diagnosis of Osteoporosis
There are several screening methods to test for the presence of
osteoporosis, but only one widely accepted test to diagnose
osteoporosis, and that is a DXA Bone Density Test. Some of the
screening tests are normal x-ray or even ultrasound of the heel.
If you score 6 or higher on
the Osteoporosis
SCORE questionnaire you
should ask for a bone density test and a complete bone health
evaluation.
The DXA test is similar to a x-ray of your hip and lower spine.
The results are expressed as a number known as a T-Score.
Normally the bones are the strongest about age 30, and the T-Score
compares your bone density now to the average normal 30 year old
bone density, A negative number indicates your bones are
weaker or less dense than the 30 year old bones. A T-Score of
-2.5 or worse is osteoporosis.
- A T-score between - 1.0 and -1.4
- 10% - 15% below normal bone mass
- 2.3 times greater risk of spine fracture
- 2.6 times greater risk of hip fracture
- A T-score between -1.5 and - 1.9
- 15% - 20% below normal bone mass
- 3 times greater risk of spine fracture
- 4 times greater risk of hip fracture
- A T-score between - 2.0 and - 2.4
- 20% - 25% below normal bone mass
- 5 times greater risk of spine fracture
- 7 times greater risk of hip fracture
- A T-score of -2.5 or worse
- Bone mass more than 25% below normal
- 8 times greater risk of spine fracture
- 11 times greater risk of hip fracture
Unfortunately your first DXA test does not indicate if you are
loosing bone or not, only where you are at that time. Help prevent fractures
is a informative site about DXA
testing.
If you would like to have testing for osteoporosis, please
call 227-6363 to schedule an appointment
with one of our doctors.