DEXA Bone Density Screening

Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) is used to measure bone mineral density which can aid in the diagnosis of osteoporosis.  Body Mass Index (BMI) is a number calculated from a person’s weight and height.  BMI provides a reliable indicator of body fat for most people and is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems.

A bone density test is the only test that can diagnose osteoporosis before a broken bone occurs.  This test helps to estimate the density of your bones and your chance of breaking a bone.  A bone density test tells you if you have normal bone density, low bone density (osteopenia) or osteoporosis.  It is the only test that can diagnose osteoporosis.  If you have low bone density you will have a  greater your risk of breaking a bone.  If you are a postmenopausal woman or man age 50 and older, have recently broken a bone you should consider a bone density test if you have never had one.

• Learn if you have weak bones or osteoporosis before you break a bone
• Predict you chance of breaking a bone in the future
• See if your bone density is improving, getting worse or staying the same
• Find out how well an osteoporosis medicine is working
• Let you know if you have osteoporosis after you break a bone