There are a variety of bone density tests available, but the “gold standard” test for diagnosing osteoporosis is the DEXA scan.The acronym stands for dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, and it measures bone density in the spine, hip, or wrist. If you do have low bone density, those are the most common locations for fractures.
A DEXA scan is painless and only takes about 15 minutes to perform. During the test, you lie on your back on a table and a scanner passes over your body taking radiographic images.
DEXA bone scan results scores are measured as T-scores, which is a comparison of a person’s bone density with that of a healthy 30-year-old adult. The lower bone density test results, the lower your total bone density, indicating osteopenia or osteoporosis.
Solution:
You can take steps right now, such as monitoring your calcium and vitamin D levels and utilizing weight-bearing exercises, to prevent or fight osteoporosis.
