What is a Bone Density Test?

Using a special X-ray, it is measured how much calcium and other minerals in the bone are in the amount.

The more mineral content, the greater the bone density. The fact that the bone density is higher indicates that they are stronger and more resistant to fracture.

To Whom Is It Necessary to Be Done?
- in women older than 65 years
- women aged 60 years and at risk of osteoporosis

What Are the Risk Factors?
– As the bones weaken with age, the risk of osteoporosis also increases.
- Race is also an influential factor. Whites are more at risk than blacks and people of African descent.
- Being underweight increases the risk.
- Having a history of bone fractures in your past
- Having someone with osteoporosis in the family
– The use of drugs that increase bone loss are also factors that increase the risk.

How to Prepare for a Bone Density Test?
The test is very easy, fast and painless. It does not require any preparation. Some of them can even be done in the clinic.

how is it done?
It is applied in bones that are more likely to break due to osteoporosis. These are the lumbar vertebrae, the part where the thigh bone connects to the hip, the wrist and arm bones. Measuring machines can be large enough for a person to enter, as well as small enough to accommodate only a finger, wrist or heel of the foot. The procedure usually takes 5-10 minutes.
The results of small-sized machines also give the risk of fracture. However, the result of a heel test may not be as accurate as a vertebral or hip test. Because the bone density of each region is different. Bone densities measured from the finger or heel are performed as a screening test and if the result is positive, vertebral and hip bone densities are also requested.

How are the Results of the Test Evaluated?

The result is given in two ways; T score and Z score:
With the T score, your bone density is compared with normal, healthy, young people of the same sex. It is called below or above using certain standard numbers. If the T score is above -1, it means that your bone density is normal. between -1 and -2.5 means the condition between normal and osteoporosis, called osteopenia. Dec.1. -2.5. -2.5.-2.5.-2.5.-2.5 is Dec. if it is below -2.5, it means that there is osteoporosis.
The Z score is a comparison with normal people of the same age, gender, weight and race as you. This is a more accurate comparison. Because age-related bone loss is already expected, and if there is a reason other than that, research should be done for it. If the Z score is below -1.5, it means that there are other reasons other than old age, and if the reason that does this can be found, treatment will be performed accordingly. Thus, bone loss will be reduced or even stopped.

When Should It Be Done?
– After the menopausal period and if there is a risk of osteoporosis
- If you have hyperparathyroidism
- If there is a spinal abnormality that raises suspicion of a fracture
- If long-term cortisone therapy has been taken
- A bone density test is performed to assess the results of osteoporosis treatment.
Bone density testing is an important tool in detecting osteoporosis and understanding your fracture risk. The results obtained by different methods are also different. Although the measurements made with large machines are more accurate, small machines are also suitable for scanning to large masses. A bone density test tells you how more or less dense your bones are, but it can't explain why. Therefore, if osteoporosis occurs, it is necessary to conduct research for this separately.

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What is a Bone Density Test?

Using a special X-ray, it is measured how much calcium and other minerals in the bone are in the amount.

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