{"id":50822,"date":"2022-04-18T09:30:01","date_gmt":"2022-04-18T13:30:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=50822"},"modified":"2022-11-11T14:20:09","modified_gmt":"2022-11-11T19:20:09","slug":"bone-density-test-results","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/bone-density-test-results\/","title":{"rendered":"What do bone density test results mean?"},"content":{"rendered":"

What is a bone density test?<\/a> | Causes and risk factors<\/a> | Bone density test preparation<\/a> | Prices<\/a> | Bone density test results<\/a> | Osteopenia vs. osteoporosis<\/a> | Treatment<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Having <\/span>strong bones<\/span><\/a> is important to your health. They help you move and protect your internal organs from injury. Aging and certain medical conditions can weaken bones, resulting in low bone mass or low bone density. <\/span>Bone density<\/span><\/a>, or bone mineral density, refers to the amount of calcium and other minerals in your bone per volume measurement. \u201cThe higher your bone mineral density is, the stronger your bones are,\u201d says <\/span>Ellen Johnson MD<\/span><\/a>, a board-certified radiologist in North Andover, Massachusetts. \u201cLower bone mineral density increases your risk of fracture.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s possible to have weak bones without even knowing it. People often don’t have any symptoms until they break a bone. To prevent this, your healthcare provider may order a bone density test, or bone density scan, if you meet certain criteria.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is a bone density test?<\/h2>\n

Bone density is most commonly measured by a test called a DEXA scan (also called a DXA test), which uses X-rays to measure the amount of bone mineral, most commonly in your hips and lower spine. A DEXA scan is a quick and painless procedure that is very accurate at detecting bone loss. \u201cUnlike ordinary X-rays, DEXA scans can measure tiny losses in bone density. This makes it possible to catch osteoporosis in its early stages,\u201d Dr. Johnson says.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOther [preliminary] methods to measure bone density include ultrasound, quantitative computed tomography (QCT), and peripheral dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (pDEXA),\u201d explains <\/span>Gethin Williams, MD, Ph.D.<\/span><\/a>, a medical director at Imaging and Interventional Specialists in El Paso, Texas. Portable machines, called peripheral devices, can measure bone density at your finger, wrist, or heel\u2014but they usually aren\u2019t as accurate as medical tests taken at the spine or hip. Any findings from these tests should be confirmed with a DEXA scan.<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>National Osteoporosis Foundation<\/span><\/a> recommends testing on the following schedule:<\/span><\/p>\n