Bone density tests are useful at detecting bone loss at an early stage, before serious fractures occur and while treatment is still effective. During treatment for osteoporosis or bone loss, regular bone density scans can let your doctor know how well your treatment is working and can provide insight into the speed at which your disease is progressing. Most bone density scans use dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, or DEXA, which is low-dose beam radiation.
Step 1
Visit your doctor to discuss your risk factors for low bone density and osteoporosis, such as a history of broken bones or hormone replacement therapy. Your doctor will tell you when you should first begin periodic testing to measure your body's bone density. For most people, this is 65 years of age, according to MayoClinic.com.
Step 2
Tell the person administering your bone density test if you are pregnant or have metal implants before undergoing the procedure. The technologist must know if you have recently had a barium exam or nuclear medicine scan.
Step 3
Lie on the table and remain motionless for the entire length of the test. During the procedure, a low-dose X-ray beam will pass through your body from beneath the table while a scanner passes over the top of your body. The scanner, or arm, will measure your bone density over a period of 10 to 15 minutes.
Step 4
Discuss the results of your test with your doctor. The results of a bone density test indicate the amount of bone remaining in your body per skeletal area unit. If you score below normal for your age, you may receive a diagnosis of osteopenia or osteoporosis, depending on the severity of your bone loss.
Tips and Warnings
- A bone density test uses a very small amount of radiation, generally only 20 percent of that of a regular chest x-ray, according to the Altoona Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center. There are two types of DEXA scores: T-scores and Z-scores. T-scores compare your bone density with that of a healthy 30-year-old, while Z-scores compare your score to someone of your age and gender.
- Moving during your bone density test decreases the accuracy of your results.
