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BONE HEALTH
> BONE DENSITY STUDY
 A bone density test
measures the bone mineral density (BMD) content in your hip and spine and, if
necessary, your forearm. This information can be used to determine your relative
bone strength and to screen for osteoporosis, the porous bone disease that
affects an estimated 8 million women and 2 million men in the U.S. today.
How is the test done?
You will lie on a padded table, and our certified
densitometry technologist will perform your scan using top-of-the-line Hologic
Discovery bone densitometry equipment. This machine uses a technology called
Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA), which is recognized as the most
accurate method available to diagnose osteoporosis. As you lie still, an imaging
device will pass over your hip and spine areas, taking measurements of your
bones.
Does bone density screening hurt?
No, it’s painless. In fact, some people say they feel so
comfortable, they could nap. You simply lie on a comfortably padded table while
the technologist performs the scan. The hardest part may be that you have to be
still for about 10 minutes (a good time for a catnap) while two scans are taken
of your spine, then another 5-8 minutes while another scan is taken of your
hip.
How long should I plan to be at your office for my bone
scan?
The scans themselves only take a few minutes, but you can
expect to be in our office for a total of about 45 minutes. Fast enough to do
over your lunch hour!
Do I need to take any special precautions on the day or
week of my bone density exam?
Yes, there are several Do’s and Don’ts for patients having
bone density exams.
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Do bring a list of all medications, including dosage and
milligrams, with you. Or if you prefer, you may bring the medications
themselves.
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Don’t have X-rays that use contrast dye for a week prior to your
bone density test.
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Don’t take any calcium supplements the day before or the day of
your test.
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Don’t wear anything with metal on your spine or hip – for example,
a dress with a zipper down the back. Pants with zippers are okay if they can be
pulled down below the hip for the test.
Do I need to provide any special information to you?
Yes, you will fill out a form detailing your personal and
family health history. This form can be completed when you come to the office
or, for your convenience, you may download it
here,
print it out and complete it in the privacy of your home. Be sure to bring it
with you to your appointment.
When making your appointment, please also let us know where
you have had any previous bone density exams done. We can obtain those scans
and have them on hand to give us comparative data on your bone health.
Does it matter where I have my
bone density test performed?
Yes. For the best comparability
of numbers from year to year, you should have your bone density scans performed
on the same machine at the same center each time.
Who should have a bone density screening?
All women 50 and older should talk with their doctors about
their personal risk factors for osteoporosis and whether they should have this
screening.
Why is this screening so important?
 Statistics released by the National Osteoporosis Foundation
are quite grim: one out of every two women past menopause will develop the
disease, and one out of every three will suffer a fracture. Bone density
screening can detect porous bone in its early stages, when medication can be
prescribed to stop the disease’s progress. “We now have drugs that have been
shown to actually reverse the bone loss process,” says Dr. Bertrand. “To me, it
is truly tragic when a woman loses her independent lifestyle because of a hip
fracture that could have been prevented."
How much radiation will I receive?
Very little. Even though the bone density machine emits
X-rays, the radiation dose during the test is less than the radiation exposure
during a coast-to-coast airline flight.
Who will interpret the scans?
A computer tallies the results of
the scans and prints out the measurements, along with pictures of your hip and
spine areas. Dr. Bertrand, a certified clinical bone densitometrist, interprets
the data and makes a diagnosis of osteoporosis, osteopenia (the first stage of
bone loss) or normal bone mass. She forwards the results on to your referring
physician.
How long will it take for my
doctor to get the results from my bone density exam?
Allow a week to 10 days for your
results to arrive in your physician’s office. You will receive the results of
your test from your doctor.
Do I need a referral from my doctor for a bone density
test?
Yes, you do need a referral from your physician to have a
bone density scan. However, once you have a referral, you can schedule your own
appointment.
Why might my doctor order an
IVA along with my bone density test?
Instant Vertebral Analysis (IVA)
is a fast, noninvasive test that can be done at the same time as a bone density
test and can detect an undiagnosed vertebral fracture, which is a clinical sign
of osteoporosis. This test may be recommended in women who have low to
moderately low bone mass. It takes just 10 seconds, has much less radiation
than a conventional lateral spine X-ray (which otherwise is used to detect
vertebral fractures) and can be performed conveniently when a woman is already
having a bone densitometry exam. If a fracture is detected, your doctor may
begin treatment for osteoporosis.
Where can I get more
information on osteoporosis?
National Osteoporosis
Foundation
National Institutes of Health
Osteoporosis
National Institutes of Health,
Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases, National Resource Center
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