Osteoporosis screening

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Osteoporosis screening

If you or your doctor thinks you may be at risk for developing osteoporosis, you may have a screening test to check your bone thickness. A screening test may be advisable if you have:

• A fracture in a minor injury that may have been caused by osteoporosis.
• Another medical condition that is known to cause bone thinning.
• Risk factors for, or symptoms that suggest, osteoporosis.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that all women age 65 and older routinely have a bone mineral density test to test for osteoporosis. If you are at increased risk for broken bones caused by osteoporosis, routine testing should begin at age 60.

Most experts recommend that the decision to test women age 60 and younger be made on an individual basis, depending on the risk of developing osteoporosis and whether the test results will help with treatment decisions. To help you decide whether you should be tested for osteoporosis, see:

Should I have bone mineral testing to diagnose osteoporosis?

Experts recommend that men who are older than age 70 and/or have other risk factors for osteoporosis have a bone mineral density test.¹

For more information, see the topic Osteoporosis.

References

Citations

1. Qaseem A, et al. (2008). Screening for osteoporosis in men: A clinical practice guideline from the American College of Physicians. Annals of Internal Medicine, 148(9): 680–684.

Credits

Last updated:	November 21, 2008
Author:	Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH
Reviewed By:	Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine, Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC