Osteoporosis Diagnosis
If you or your WellStar physician suspect you have osteoporosis, a bone scan, called bone densitometry, can confirm it. Bone densitometry is a low dose x-ray test that evaluates specific bones to determine if there is mineral loss or bone thinning.
Another available test is the dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) test. This test measures the density of the bones in your hips, spine and wrist, which are places likely to be affected by osteoporosis.
DEXA tests can:
- Show if you have low bone density before a fracture occurs
- Show if your bones are losing density or staying the same when the test is repeated at intervals of one year or more
- Predict the chances that you will have a fracture in the future
- Help you and your physician decide if treatment is needed
Your physician may also order an ultrasound or a CT scan to help check the density of your bones.