Q: What is bone density?

A: Doctors use the term bone density to describe bone mass or strength. The denser a bone, the stronger it is. The key is to keep bones dense and strong throughout life.

Q: What is a bone density test?

A: Commonly called a DEXA Scan (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry), it is considered the most accurate test for bone density. While standard x-rays show changes in bone density after about 40% of bone loss, a DEXA scan can detect changes after about a 1% change.

Q: Why should I have a bone density test?

A: If you are a Caucasian woman 50 years of age, you have a 17.5% chance of experiencing a hip fracture, a15.6% chance of experiencing a vertebral fracture and a16% chance of experiencing a forearm fracture. A bone density test will measure the strength of your bones, determine the risk of fracture and detect the presence of any osteoporosis.

Also, if you answer “yes” to any three of the following statements, you should talk to your physician about scheduling a bone density test:

• I am age 65 or older.
• I had a bone fracture after age 21.
• My mother, sister or grandmother had a fracture after age 21.
• I am Caucasian.
• My health is generally poor.
• I smoke cigarettes.
• I weigh less than 127 pounds.
• I had menopause before age 45.
• There was a time when I didn’t have periods for one year.
• I have had a low calcium intake all my life.
• I consume more than two alcoholic drinks per day.
• I have bad vision despite glasses.
• I tend to have trouble with falling.
• I get very little exercise.

I take one or more of these medicines:

• Anti-seizure pills
• Hormone blockers
• Steroids
• Thyroid Pills

I have one or more of these medical problems:

• Adrenal problems
• Anemia
• Cancer
• Cushings
• Diabetes
• Emphysema
• Endometriosis
• Growth hormone
• Hemochromatosis
• Hemophilia
• Kidney problems
• Liver disease
• Malabsorption
• Multiple myeloma
• Multiple sclerosis
• Nutritional disorder
• Ovarian failure
• Overactive parathyroid
• Overactive thyroid
• Sarcoidosis

Q: Why should I have a bone density test at Women’s Care Center?

A: We have the latest technology - Lunar’s iDXA, the latest and most advanced bone densitometer, producing precise results and crisp images enabled by patented, high-definition, direct digital technology with these standard features:

• AP Spine Combined Report & Scan Protocols
• Single Femur Composer Physician Reports
• Dual Femur One Scan
• Dual Energy Vertebral Assessment (DVA) Computer Assisted Densitometry
• HIPAA SecureView DICOM - IHES certified
• Advanced Hip Assessment TeleDensitometry - fax, e-mail
• Forearm Total Body Composition
• Total Body BMD Practice Management Tools

Known as the "intelligent" DXA, this machine detects bone changes twice as fast as other systems and reduces the number of referrals to x-ray. It provides crystal-clear images, follow-up recommendations for treatment, and a bone, fat, and lean tissue assessment.

The iDXA machine assesses your fracture probability - the personalized risk calculator estimates your 10-year fracture risk. Imagine knowing if you are at risk for a major bone break a decade in advance!

All physicians and technicians at the Women's Care Center Bone Mineral Density Center are ISCD certified.

Q: What should I expect during a bone density test?

A: Expect to be in and out quickly! This painless test only takes only minutes. You will lie flat on your back on a padded table. The DXA (Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) machine scans the spine and hip. The radiology technician may place a special pillow under your knees for part of the test. Don’t worry about radiation exposure – it is minimal.

Q: What do my bone density test results mean?

A: The results of a bone density measurement (DEXA scan) are reported in two ways: as T-scores and as Z-scores.

A T-score compares your bone density to the bone quality of a young adult at peak bone strength. A T-score of greater than minus1 is considered normal. A T-score of minus1 to minus 2.5 is considered osteopenia, and a risk for developing osteoporosis. A T-score of less than minus 2.5 is diagnostic of osteoporosis.

A Z-score is used to compare your results to others of your same age, weight, ethnicity and gender. This is useful to determine if there is something unusual contributing to your bone loss. A Z-score of less than minus1.5 raises concern of factors other than aging as contributing to osteoporosis. These factors may include thyroid abnormalities, malnutrition, medication interactions, tobacco use and others.

Q: Will I see my test results?

A: Yes, and a copy will be sent to your physician.

For more information on osteoporosis and bone densitometry, the following websites may be of help:

www.nof.com (National Osteoporosis Foundation)
www.agingresearch.org (Alliance For Aging Research)