Most of a person's bone mass is achieved by early adulthood. After that time, the bone mass gradually declines throughout the rest of a person's life. There is a normal rate of decline in bone mass with age in both men and women. For women, in addition to age, the menopause transition itself causes an extra degree of bone loss.
Bone formation initially exceeds bone resorption but by the third decade this has reversed resulting in a net loss of bone mass. This leads to an increased bone fragility and susceptibility to fracture.
Men may also be at risk for osteoporosis if they have certain illnesses, low testosterone level, are smokers, take certain medicines or are sedentary.
The best method to prevent osteoporosis is to achieve as high a bone mass by early adulthood with a proper diet and regular exercise.
BMD analysis is recommended for women between ages 50 and 65 with risk factors for osteoporosis and for all women over the age of 65.
By measuring BMD, it is possible to predict fracture risk in the same manner that measuring blood pressure can help predict the risk of stroke.
A bone mineral density (BMD) test is the best way to determine your bone health. The test can identify osteoporosis, determine your risk for fractures (broken bones).
The osteoporosis is a disease that causes bones to become more fragile and more likely to break.
The absolute amount of bone as measured by bone mineral density (BMD) testing generally correlates with bone strength and its ability to bear weight.
A bone density test uses X-rays to measure how many grams of calcium and other bone minerals are packed into a segment of bone.
Ultrasound is relatively new diagnostic tool to measure BMD. An ultrasound beam is directed at the area being analyzed. The scattering and absorption of the waves allow for an assessment of bone density.
The T-score is the relevant measure when screening for osteoporosis. It is a comparison of a patient's BMD to that of a healthy thirty-year-old.
- Normal : A bone BMD is considered normal if the T-score is within 1 standard deviation of the normal young adult value. T-score below -1 is considered an abnormal result.
- Low Bone Mass (Osteopenia) : A BMD defines osteopenia as a T-score between -1 and -2.5. This signifies an increased fracture risk.
- Osteoporosis : A BMD greater than 2.5 standard deviations from the normal defines osteoporosis.
Z-Score is the number of standard deviations a patient's BMD differs from the average BMD of their age, sex, and ethnicity. This value is used in premenopausal women, men under the age of 50 and in children.
The purpose of BMD testing is to help predict the risk of future fracture so that the treatment program can be optimized.
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