How Do I Read a Bone Density Report

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Bone density decreases with age and tin lead to osteoporosis. It'due south important to take your os density checked once you've reached a sure age or if you take other weather that put yous at risk for osteoporosis. Talk to your healthcare provider about bone density tests, learn how to interpret the results, and take steps to preclude bone loss to keep your body strong and salubrious.

1. i

   Tell your md about your family history and any top loss or fractures. Be sure to tell your doc of whatsoever family history of osteoporosis, every bit this increases your risk. Also allow them know if you have recently broken a bone or take experienced height loss considering these are signs of decreased bone density.^[one]

   • Other run a risk factors include low body weight and a small frame.
   • Bone density decreases with age, and women are peculiarly at risk of osteoporosis.

2. 2

   Summate your gamble of bone fracture with the FRAX tool. This calculation does not replace the bone density examination, only it can help you lot and your doctor make decisions about your bone health. FRAX calculates your adventure of fracture based on factors like historic period, height, weight, race, ethnicity, nationality, and previous fractures. Ask your doctor virtually a FRAX calculation.^[2]

   • If y'all are between the ages of 40 and ninety, y'all can also use the FRAX tool yourself by visiting https://www.sheffield.air conditioning.united kingdom of great britain and northern ireland/FRAX/index.aspx and selecting your country from the cavalcade "calculation tool."

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3. iii

   Request a DXA browse if yous are a woman 65 years erstwhile or over. A dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) motorcar is used to examine the density of your bones in your hips and spine—the bones people with osteoporosis are most likely to pause. The examination is non-invasive, painless, and only takes 10 to 15 minutes. In the US, many insurances won't pay for DXA scans for men, because in that location is insufficient evidence on whether the tests benefit men.^[3]

   • A DXA test uses very little radiation—nigh the same corporeality you would get from having your hand x-rayed.^[four]
   • If yous've had a DXA test before, try to become information technology at the aforementioned place so y'all conspicuously can see the changes in the exam, rather than changes in the doctor'southward method of reading the test.

4. iv

   Ask for a peripheral exam equally a forerunner or if y'all're over 300 pounds. Peripheral screenings tin can be used to measure out bone density on your arms, wrists, fingers, or heels when DXA is not available or if you have sure conditions. The three types, pDXA (peripheral dual free energy x-ray absorptiometry), QUS (quantitative ultrasound), and pQCT (peripheral quantitative computed tomography), can help make up one's mind if y'all demand further testing.^[5]

   • Since most primal DXA machines tin can't test people over 300 pounds (140 kg), peripheral tests are frequently used instead.
   • Peripheral tests are useful when you're non sure if y'all need a total DXA test. For instance, if you are middle-aged with a pocket-sized frame and are curious about your bone wellness or if your medico doesn't think you need a full scan depending on your historic period and risk factors.
   • You lot can get a peripheral browse at certain drugstores, mobile health vans, and at wellness fairs.^[half-dozen]

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1. 1

   Refer to your insurance plan or doctor to schedule the test. Bone density tests crave a referral from your healthcare provider, so they'll likely recommend a sure hospital or testing center. However, information technology's important to check in with your insurance plan to find a eye in your network.^[7]

   • You tin get a bone density examination at private radiology centers and at hospitals that have radiology departments.
   • If you take had whatsoever tests involving barium (similar a swallow exam with your gastroenterologist) or radioisotopes (like an MRI or thyroid scan) within the concluding 30 days, schedule your exam to a later date as these elements may interfere with your results.
   • Take your doctor's referral notation with you to your testing engagement. They'll need your doctor'south information so they can transport them the results.

2. 2

   Eat usually and have any prescribed medications the day of the test. Luckily, a bone density test requires very fiddling preparation and y'all won't have to change your usual routine. All the same, avoid taking any vitamins or supplements on the morning of your test.^[8]

   • Avoid taking calcium supplements for 24 hours before your exam.^[nine]

3. 3

   Article of clothing comfortable article of clothing that doesn't have metallic components. You can remain fully clothed for the scan, simply you take to remove any jewelry and article of clothing with metal fasteners like zippers, hooks, or buckles. Y'all'll besides demand to remove any metallic objects from your pockets (similar keys, coins, or money clips).^[x]

   • Loose, comfortable workout clothes are a good option.
   • If about of your clothes take metal components, don't worry, they'll give you a gown to wear.

4. four

   Lie downward on the scanning table and be withal for 10-xx minutes. Exist on time or early on for your engagement so you lot tin get checked in and registered. The technologist will then have you lay down on a scanning table for most 10-xx minutes while an arm of the DXA machine scans your spine and hips.^[11]

   • The technician may ask you to movement your leg position so the scanning arm can reach a unlike area.
   • If you lot're getting a DXA-CT scan for 3D imaging, you'll lie downwards on a tabular array that moves into a cylindrical car where information technology will scan your basic for about 10 minutes. If yous're claustrophobic, ask the technician or nurse to play some music for you or tell you jokes to distract you. You can also exercise a calming meditation beforehand.

5. v

   Expect i-iii days for your md to share your results. A radiologist will clarify the results of your scan and transport a report to your md. Await to hear from your doctor anywhere from 1-3 days (depending on where yous go to get the exam). Your doctor will then call you lot to talk over the results and, if necessary, ask yous to come up in for a follow-upwards engagement.^[12]

   • Some doctors email their patients instead or might provide a login and countersign to an online portal showing your results.

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1. 1

   Keep up the skillful work if your T-score is between -1 and +4. The T-score is determined by a formula that compares bone density to that of an average 30 yr old. If instance, if your score is 0, your basic are the verbal density that'southward to be expected of a person that age.^[13]

   • If your T-score falls between -1 to +4, your bones are considered to be of normal density.
   • A score of -1 doesn't mean your basic are withering, it could mean you only have a small frame. However, your doc might recommend that you get scanned again in a year or two just to make sure.
   • If your score is +1 to +2, your bone density is 10% to xx% greater than that average—your basic are in great shape!

2. ii

   Shift your nutrition and lifestyle and consider medication if your T-score is between -ane and -2.5. This score is typically means you lot have osteopenia. Don't worry, osteopenia isn't serious—information technology just ways your bones are 10% to 25% less dense than an average 30 year old's bones. Osteopenia doesn't mean you'll definitely become osteoporosis, it just ways you have low bone density at the moment. Your doctor may consider putting you on medication if your T score is between -one and -ii.5 and they calculated a high probability that yous'll get a fracture using the FRAX tool.^[fourteen]

   • If your bone density falls within this range, information technology'southward time to make dietary and lifestyle changes to foreclose os loss and lower your risk of osteoporosis.
   • If this is your first bone density examination, your physician won't be able to tell if you've lost bone density or if you've ever had (and probably will go along to accept) low bone density due to your family or medical history. In this case, your doctor will request labs to endeavor to decide whether or not y'all're currently losing bone density.

3. 3

   Take medication for osteoporosis if your T-score is -ii.five to -4. A score in this range means your bones are extremely porous and you are at loftier risk for fractures. Your doctor will typically prescribe medication like Atelvia, Boniva, or Actonel to assist rebuild your bones.^[15]

   • Depending on your circumstances, your physician may also advise bi-annual intravenous infusions of zoledronic acid.
   • Alter your diet and lifestyle to assistance rebuild your basic—your doctor tin aid yous come up upwards with a handling programme.

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1. one

   Quit smoking cigarettes to salve your basic. Smoking affects the cells in your body that build bones and rejuvenate bones, which ways smokers are more susceptible to osteoporosis.^[16] Furthermore, smoking depletes your body'due south store of vitamin C, which is necessary for calcium absorption and healthy bones.^[17]

   • Quit smoking cold turkey or wean yourself off of tobacco by decreasing the corporeality of cigarettes you lot smoke each day. You tin can likewise use nicotine gum, lozenges, patches, and sprays to ease withdrawal symptoms.^[18]
   • Chantix or Zyban are as well two FDA-approved prescription drugs that can ease withdrawal symptoms while quitting.^[nineteen]
   • Yoga and meditation tin as well help you adjourn cravings past being more than present and aware of any triggers that lead yous to smoke.^[xx]

2. two

   Avoid drinking booze in excess. Excessive drinking interferes with your body'south calcium and Vitamin D assimilation. Information technology may also mess up your body's production of hormones and increase cortisol, which is linked to a higher risk of osteoporosis.^[21] Withal, you lot can still indulge in moderation as mild drinkers take lower risk of fractures and bone loss.^[22]

   • Moderate drinking means 1 drink per day for women and no more than than 2 drinks per mean solar day for men.^[23]
   • If you are older (50 and higher up) and struggle with alcoholism, you lot have an increased take a chance of fractures from falling.^[24]

3. three

   Maintain a salubrious weight. If your Trunk Mass Index (BMI) is below 18.five, you accept a higher risk for bone loss than if you had a moderate BMI (ranging from 18.5 to 24.9).^[25] Fifty-fifty mild obesity (BMI of 25 or more) can cause os loss due to the deposition of fat into bone marrow.^[26]

   • Proceeds weight past eating a diet balanced in carbs, proteins, and fats. Calculate your daily caloric needs at https://bmi-calories.com/calorie-intake-calculator.html.
   • Lose weight by eating a counterbalanced nutrition (consisting mainly of whole foods), exercising, and practicing portion control.

4. 4

   Stay active with at least 30 minutes of exercise 5+ days a week. Increasing your physical action via aerobic exercise and resistance training can aid build os mass and decrease the risk of osteoporosis.^[27] Comprise strength training iii out of 5 days a calendar week, using moderate weights to target your glutes, back, shoulder, and arm muscles.^[28]

   • Focus on weight-bearing exercises like jumping jacks, jogging, hiking, stair climbing, and dancing. If you cannot practice high-impact exercises, elliptical machines, stair step machines, and speed walking are bang-up options for fragile joints.^[29]
   • If you already have osteoporosis, you lot can follow online exercises similar this i: https://youtu.be/7fiqN8u5qYo?t=84. But always talk to your doctor before starting any new practice program.

5. 5

   Become enough calcium and vitamin D in your diet. Dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese are known for their calcium and Vitamin D content. All the same, green vegetables like collards, kale, broccoli rabe, and soybeans are additional sources. Orangish juice, English language muffins, soymilk, and cereals can as well contribute to your daily intake as long as the package reads: "Fortified with calcium and vitamin D."^[30]

   • Women fifty (and under) and men 70 (and under) need 1,000 mg of calcium and 600 IU of Vitamin D every day.
   • Women over 51 and men over 71 should aim to get 1,200 mg of calcium and 800 IU of Vitamin D daily.
   • Yous may need to take calcium supplements if you have a restrictive diet (i.due east., if you lot're vegan or take allergies to dairy or grains) and suspect yous're not getting enough calcium from food lonely. Talk to your md before taking any supplements.
   • Look for "fortified with calcium" on the labels of your favorite items.
   • If a label only shows the percentage of daily value, interpret it equally follows:
     30% DV = 300 mg
     20% DV = 200 mg
     xv% DV = 150 mg

6. 6

   Eat lots of fruits and vegetables to lower your run a risk. People with a higher intake of fruits and vegetables accept been shown to have greater bone density.^[31] Leafy greens (like spinach and arugula) and cruciferous vegetables (like broccoli, brussels, collards, mustard greens, and cabbage), and citrus fruits (like oranges and grapefruits) can assistance you lot get enough calcium, magnesium, and vitamin C each day.

   • Eat foods rich in Vitamin C forth with foods rich in calcium increment absorption.^[32] For instance, drink a glass of fortified orange juice before or with a meal full of greens and veggies.

7. 7

   Become the right amount of protein. Foods with a lot of protein include red meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, and nuts. If you're vegetarian or vegan, tofu, tempeh, seitan, beans, legumes, and plant-based poly peptide powder are great options. To detect your daily recommended intake of protein, multiply your weight by 0.36 and modify pounds to grams.^[33]

   • For instance, if you lot weigh 145 pounds (and live a sedentary lifestyle), you should aim to eat 52.2 grams of poly peptide per day (and a few grams more than if you lot regularly exercise).
   • You can also utilize an online computer: https://world wide web.nal.usda.gov/fnic/dri-estimator/

8. 8

   Limit your coffee and sodium intake. Excessive amounts of coffee are correlated with an increased risk of osteoporosis, and so drink less than iv cups a day.^[34] And every bit for sodium, stick to the recommended daily intake of no more than than 2,300 mg.^[35]

   • Caffeinated teas are not associated with a higher chance of osteoporosis, so if you need a pick-me-upward, sip on blackness or green tea.^[36]
   • Exist wary of subconscious sodium in frozen meals, deli meats, snack foods, condiments, canned foods, cereals, and breads.^[37]

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• Talk to your doctor if you're worried about your os density. They can advise lifestyle and dietary changes that may be more effective for you.

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• Do not brainstorm a new exercise plan without talking to your dr. first, particularly if you take osteoporosis.

• Don't routinely repeat DXA scans more often than once every 2 years.

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