Bone mineral density tests

What is a bone mineral density test?

A bone mineral density test determines how rich your bones are in minerals such as calcium and phosphorus. The higher the mineral content, the denser and stronger your bones are and the less likely they are to break easily.

Why is a bone mineral density test done?

Bone mineral density testing is done to find out if you have osteoporosis or are at risk of developing it. Osteoporosis is a condition in which the bones become less dense and their structure deteriorates, making them fragile and prone to fracture (break). Osteoporosis is common, especially in older Australians. It has no symptoms and is often not detected until a fracture occurs, which can be devastating for older people in terms of their general health, independence and ability to get around.

Bone mineral density testing can also detect osteopenia, an intermediate stage of bone loss between normal bone density and osteoporosis.

Your doctor may also suggest bone mineral density testing to monitor how your bones are responding to treatment if you have already been diagnosed with osteoporosis.

Who should have a bone mineral density test?

Your doctor may suggest you have a bone mineral density test if you have had a fracture after a trivial injury or if you are suspected to have a vertebral (spinal) fracture — this type of fracture doesn’t always cause pain but may reduce your height or cause deformity of your spine (e.g. 'dowager's hump').

In addition, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners advises that you discuss with your doctor your risk of osteoporosis and whether you should have your bone mineral density investigated if you have (or have had) a major risk factor for osteoporosis, including:

  • corticosteroid treatment (by mouth) for more than 3 months or Cushing syndrome;
  • absence of menstrual periods for over 6 months before the age of 45 (including premature menopause, but not including pregnancy);
  • testosterone deficiency (if you are male);
  • long-term liver or kidney disease or rheumatoid arthritis;
  • overactive thyroid or parathyroid;
  • a condition that stops you absorbing the nutrients from food (such as coeliac disease);
  • multiple myeloma; or
  • age over 70 years.

The College also advises that women over the age of 50 and men over the age of 60 should discuss their risk of osteoporosis with their doctor if they have other risk factors for low bone density or for fracture such as:

  • a family history of fracture after a trivial injury;
  • low body weight (body mass index [BMI] less than 19 kg/m²);
  • a history of smoking or high alcohol intake (more than 2-4 standard drinks per day for men, less for women);
  • inadequate calcium (less than 500-850 mg/day) or vitamin D (e.g. limited exposure to sun);
  • recurrent falls; or
  • physical inactivity over a long period.

How should I prepare for a bone mineral density test?

You can eat normally on the day of the test, but some doctors advise that you shouldn’t take calcium supplements for 24 hours before the test. You should check this with the centre doing the test.

Tell your doctor if you have recently swallowed or been injected with contrast material — this happens for a barium examination and for some CT scans, for example — or a radioactive tracer for nuclear medicine tests. If this is the case, your scan may need to be postponed for up to 2 weeks.

You should also inform your doctor or the technician doing the test if there is any possibility that you might be pregnant.

What are the different types of bone mineral density test?

There are several types of bone mineral density tests. Testing usually focuses on the bones most likely to break due to osteoporosis — the lower (lumbar) spine and hip (femur).

DXA (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry)

A DXA test (sometimes called a DEXA test) is considered the standard bone mineral density test because it is the most accurate and uses the least radiation. Low-dose X-rays are used to evaluate specific bones — generally the lower spine (lumbar spine) and the hip (femur).

For a DXA test you lie on a cushioned table while a scanner passes over your body. It is best to wear loose, comfortable clothing, but some centres prefer you to change into a gown. You will probably be asked to take off anything containing metal, such as jewellery or glasses. The test is painless and usually takes about 20 minutes.

QCT (quantitative computerised tomography)

This test uses CT scans and computer software to generate 3D images, usually of your lumbar spine. This test may be recommended by doctors under certain circumstances, or it may be performed if DXA is not available. However, a QCT scan emits more radiation than a DXA test and is not as reliable. For a QCT scan, you lie on a moveable table that is guided into a large hollow cylinder.

Ultrasound

Some pharmacies offer a ‘heel test’ in which ultrasound is used to measure bone mineral density of the heel. Although heel ultrasound tests don’t require a doctor’s referral, they do not look at the areas most at risk of fracture and are not considered as accurate as DXA tests.

Are there any risks of a bone mineral density test?

Bone mineral density tests, especially DXA tests, involve very little radiation — about the same amount as you would receive from a return flight from Brisbane to Melbourne, or one-tenth the radiation dose of a chest X-ray. The radiation does not remain inside your body after the test.

Generally, the benefit of accurately diagnosing osteoporosis before you break a bone is thought to far outweigh the very low risk of radiation.

How are the results of a bone mineral density test assessed?

Bone mineral density tests are interpreted by specially trained doctors called radiologists. The radiologist will send a report back to the doctor who referred you.

The radiologist will calculate 2 scores to help interpret your bone mineral density test: a T score and a Z score.

  • T score. This indicates how dense your bone is compared to what would be expected in a young healthy adult of your sex. Your T score is the number of units — standard deviations (SD) — that your bone density is above or below the young healthy average.
    The more negative the T score, the thinner your bones and the more likely they are to break easily. A T score above -1 is considered normal, between -1 and -2.5 is considered osteopenia (low bone mass) and -2.5 or a more negative score is considered osteoporosis.

t score diagram

  • Z score. This compares your bone density to that of other people your age, sex and race. Your Z score should be between -2 and +2. A Z score more negative than -2 (e.g. -2.5) could indicate that you are losing bone for a reason unrelated to age, so your doctor will probably want to do further investigations.

What if my bone mineral density test is abnormal?

If your bone mineral density test is abnormal, indicating osteopenia or osteoporosis, you should discuss the results with your doctor. He or she may want to do further investigations such as blood tests to look for conditions that might be contributing to bone loss, or an X-ray to see whether any fractures are already present. The good news is that you can take steps to improve your bone health — your doctor will be able to advise you on these.


 

Last Reviewed: 27 July 2011

myDr, 2007
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