How Do You Get Tested for Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a health condition that weakens bones, making them more fragile and likely to break. The condition usually develops slowly, and many people aren’t aware they have it until they suffer a fracture or a break. However, if you are at a higher risk of osteoporosis due to genetic, lifestyle, or medical factors, you may be offered tests for osteoporosis.
There is no simple way to look inside your bones and diagnose osteoporosis, so doctors must use a series of tests to build a picture of your bone health. Below, we explain how to test for osteoporosis, sharing in more detail some of the most used diagnostic tools, from a blood test for osteoporosis to a bone density scan.
What is osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a common health condition that weakens bones, making them susceptible to breaks and fractures. For many people with the condition, this means even a slight impact or fall can result in broken bones, or even a sneeze could cause a fracture in their ribs.
Osteoporosis affects over three million people in the UK, over half of whom are women over 50 years old. That’s because post-menopausal women are more at risk of the condition due to hormonal changes that take place in their bodies. However, there are many other factors which can increase your risk of developing osteoporosis, including:
- Low body weight
- Smoking
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Genetics
- Age – risk tends to increase with age
- Taking certain medications
- History of previous breaks/fractures
Osteoporosis is not usually painful but when a person breaks or fractures a bone it can be incredibly painful, and the broken bone usually takes longer to heal than in a healthy adult. As a result, osteoporosis can pose a significant risk to the wellbeing of elderly people, especially if a break occurs in their hip or spine, which can immobilise them.
How do you test for osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a condition that develops slowly over time, and many people can live with it for years without knowing they have the condition. It is not usually painful, and the only real symptom is being at higher risk of fractures or breaks, so it is often only diagnosed following a bone injury.
However, if you have risk factors that put you at higher risk of osteoporosis, such as taking certain medications, having a low body weight, or having a family history of the condition, you may be offered tests for osteoporosis.
Usually, you will only be diagnosed with osteoporosis following a series of tests. That’s because no single test can give doctors a complete insight into your bone health, so they must build up a picture using multiple tests, like scans, blood tests, and risk assessments. Some of the most commonly used tests for osteoporosis include:
Bone density scan
A bone density scan, also known as a DEXA scan, measures the strength of your bones. It is a short, painless procedure that usually takes 10-20 minutes, depending on which area of your body is being scanned.
The bone density measurement taken during the scan is compared to that of an average healthy young adult. The difference is calculated as standard deviation (SD) and is referred to as a T score. A T score of:
- Above -1 SD is considered normal
- Between -1 and -2.5 SD shows some bone loss and is defined as osteopenia (the stage before osteoporosis)
- Below -2.5 shows bone loss and is defined as osteoporosis
X-ray
X-rays alone cannot tell doctors enough about your bone health to indicate you have osteoporosis, but they can be a useful diagnostic tool when combined with other tests and known genetic and lifestyle factors. With spinal X-rays, doctors look for minor fractures in your spine, as these can be a good indication you have osteoporosis. If they spot these signs, they may request further testing, such as a bone density scan.
Blood tests
Blood tests for osteoporosis cannot be used in isolation as they do not provide enough evidence on their own. However, they can be a helpful diagnostic tool used alongside other tests.
In most cases, blood tests help identify the underlying cause of osteoporosis, for example, a deficiency in certain minerals or hormones. However, they can also be used to test blood health markers to help doctors see how someone is responding to osteoporosis treatments.
MRI scan
A magnetic resonance imaging scan (MRI) can be used to assess bone structure and help diagnose osteoporosis. Doctors also use MRI scans to help assess underlying causes or rule out other conditions that could be causing your symptoms.
Fracture risk assessment
As the name suggests, a fracture risk assessment is used to calculate your risk of breaking a bone. It is sometimes known as a FRAX® test.
The assessment usually involves an electronic questionnaire that your doctor will fill out with you. It considers all the different risk factors for broken bones that you may have, such as:
- Having a low bone density
- Breaking a bone easily
- Medications you may be taking
- Medical conditions you may have
- Lifestyle factors
- Your genetics
The assessment uses your answers to the questions to calculate your risk of breaking a bone in the next ten years, and the result is given as a percentage. Your doctor will usually use the result to work out whether you need to start taking osteoporosis medication.
Ultrasound scan
An ultrasound scan can tell doctors information about how strong your bones are and help assess your risk of breaking a bone in the future. However, there is limited research into their effectiveness for diagnosis, and they can be hard to interpret, so further testing is usually recommended.
Radioisotope
Radioisotope tests are often used to determine whether recent bone fractures are the result of other medical conditions, like tumours. The test involves having a mildly radioactive chemical injected into your body that can be picked up by a scanner. The substance acts as a tracer in your body and can help highlight areas of concern.
CT scan
A CT scan can be used to measure the bone density volume in your spine and help determine if you have osteoporosis.
Bone biopsy
A bone biopsy is rarely used in the diagnosis of osteoporosis as it can be a more complicated procedure. However, in some circumstances, it can provide useful information about bone quality, how often your bone regenerates, and any changes to the inside of your bones.
Private health checks for complete peace of mind
As there are often no symptoms of osteoporosis until you experience a break or a fracture, it can be hard to know if you have the condition. However, maintaining a healthy weight and making healthy lifestyle choices like stopping smoking and reducing your risk of certain chronic health conditions can help to reduce your risk factors, which is where regular annual health assessments can help.
At Bluecrest Wellness, we offer a range of full-body health assessment packages that provide vital insights into your overall health and wellbeing. Our health MOTs include a range of key blood tests, as well as important metrics like your blood pressure, weight, and bone health markers, which can help provide useful insights into some common risk factors for osteoporosis.
We offer appointments at times and locations that suit you, and all our tests use the latest technologies to ensure accurate results. What’s more, we provide you with a comprehensive Results Report and free access to a 24/7 GP helpline for a year for complete peace of mind following your health assessment.
