Bone Density Scan

Aging can lead to catastrophic consequences, such as broken hips and legs. The most significant issue is that these situations could have been avoided had someone monitored bone density levels earlier. This would allow for early treatment, ultimately preventing further loss of bone mass, fractures, or other serious complications that may even result in death.

Many factors can contribute to the weakening of our bones as we age, such as nutritional deficiencies, lack of exercise, hyperparathyroidism, and a decrease in hormones like estrogen and testosterone. However, all four issues are preventable with modifications to your diet or lifestyle; regular physical activity; treatment for hormonal imbalances; and additional supplements if necessary. By acting now, you’re building stronger foundations for healthy bone density later on down the line.

Advancements in bone density testing have made diagnosing a decrease in bone mass easier before it leads to severe issues. Advanced bone density testing methods use densitometry and other imaging technologies to measure the amount of calcium and other minerals stored in your bones. This helps doctors determine whether you are at risk for fractures or other diseases related to weakened bones.

Standard testing is typically performed via blood or urine testing, though these tests cannot measure actual bone density. The tests measure the grams of calcium and other bone minerals in your bones to determine if there is any kind of decrease in bone mass or calcium content.

Understanding your bone density is not possible through a blood test. However, tests for calcium and vitamin D3, as well as certain hormones such as parathyroid, thyroid, testosterone, and estrogen, can be used to determine the health of your bones. These markers are all critical in keeping strong bones.

Unfortunately, no urine test can precisely gauge your bone density. However, an N-Telopeptide Cross-links (NTx) assay provides insight into the resorption activity of bones by detecting levels of cross-linked telopeptides found in type I collagen. These molecules are created when cells responsible for breaking down bones become active and provide reliable indicators which measure the degree to which our skeletons are vulnerable to fractures or other impairments over time.

Serial measuring NTx in urine is an effective way to detect bone degradation, as levels of this metabolite rise with the rate of bone breakdown. When formation rates are outstripped by destruction, this leads to osteopenia or even more serious conditions like osteoporosis which can cause low-density fractures and severe health problems for older women.

Dr. Richard Cameron and Dr. Richard Mazzes’ brilliance and foresight pioneered the technological science of bone mass measurement. Yet, with 1987’s arrival of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scanners, this became a widespread practice in clinical settings. Before then, bone density measurements were mainly used for research applications only.

The most advanced testing methods utilize dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) Scans and are the ultimate and most dependable bone density assessment. This DXA provides precise readings of your bones’ density at significant sites like the spine, hip, and forearm with minimal radiation exposure.

The Densitometers DXA system is the most reliable soft tissue and bone composition analysis tool, providing exact data on parameters such as lean- and fat-tissue mass, percentage of fat, bone mineral mass, and bone mineral density (BMD). This is a great way to get detailed information about potential bone weakness and monitor the progress of any treatments or interventions.

Our centers do Bone Density Scan by GE Lunar patients to evaluate various conditions, including: