Bone Density is a test done to measure the bone power of an individual and to determine your fracture risk. Bone density testing is designed to detect signs and/or osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a disease occurring when bones become weak and thin. Osteoporosis occurs when there is a lack of calcium in the bones or lack of other minerals that gives strength to the bones leading to osteoporosis. Osteoporosis usually generates after menopause in women and after the age of 65 in men as well as women. This results in serious fractures that cause disability and affect longevity. It is also noted that women fracturing their hip after 50, die within a period of one year.



People today can acquire a bone density scan from DEXA. DEXA is short for Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry. This is a technology that takes pictures of the bones in the hip, spine, wrist, entire body and calculates its density. In case of non-availability of a DEXA machine, a bone density scan can also be done using photon absorptionmetry that measures spine, the entire body and hip. Bone density can also be assessed using CT scan to measure the spine. Scanners that are used to measure bone density use DEXA technology to measure bone density of the wrist. Some scans called PDEXA scans are available at drug stores and are not as accurate as the measure taken from the entire body, hip or spine.

To take a DEXA scan for bone density, a patient has to lie on a bed, right below the scanner. There is a plastic curved arm emitting X-Rays and forms a beam that rotates around the patient. The scanner captures various images of the spine, entire body or the hip alone. The computer compares this data with the patient's level of bone strength, the risk of fracture with other people of the same age and with younger age people possessing peak bone density. Bones acquire peak density at the age of 30-35 and start losing mass. This test is done in merely 20 minutes and is a painless process.

This bone density scan costs around $250. It is noted that some Medicare and insurance companies cover this cost. The PDEXA scans available in drug stores cost $30. A patient may have to undergo bone density testing procedure only if they are at a risk for osteoporosis, near menopause, or have a broken bone or a family history. A person with restricted mobility for over six months may also be recommended for a bone density test. The DEXA scan for bones exposes patients to a very small area of radiation. It can be assessed as 1/50th amount of radiation.

The bone density of a patient is compared to a normal bone density and this is referred as the T-score. The T Scores that show more than 1 mean is considered to possess healthy bone mass. T-Scores showing 0 to -1 indicates the bone mass is on the borderline and should undergo repeated tests in every two years. If the T scores shows -1 to -2.5 the bone mass is less and is at a risk for occurring osteoporosis. If the T scores are below -2.5 it indicates the presence of osteoporosis and also significant bone loss. Such people are at higher risk of breaking their bones.