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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffA bone density test — also called densitometry or DXA scan — determines whether you have osteoporosis or are at risk of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a disease that causes bones to become more fragile and more likely to break.
In the past, osteoporosis could only be detected after you broke a bone. By that time, however, your bones could be quite weak. A bone density test makes it possible to know your risk of breaking bones before the fact.
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. A bone density test is a fairly accurate predictor of your risk of fracture.
- Bone mass measurement: What the numbers mean. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Bone/Bone_Health/bone_mass_measure.asp. Accessed Aug. 19, 2009.
- Screening for osteoporosis in postmenopausal women: Recommendations and rationale. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/3rduspstf/osteoporosis/osteorr.htm. Accessed Aug. 19, 2009.
- Raisz LG. Screening for osteoporosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 19, 2009.
- Hansen KE, et al. Osteoporosis. In: Duthie EH, et al. Practice of Geriatrics. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/155482233-3/0/1532/150.html?tocnode=53845866&fromURL=150.html. Accessed Aug. 19, 2009.
- Bone density scan. Radiological Society of North America. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=dexa&bhcp=1. Accessed Aug. 19, 2009.
- Fast facts on osteoporosis. National Osteoporosis Foundation. http://www.nof.org/osteoporosis/diseasefacts.htm. Accessed Aug. 19, 2009.
- Lane NE. Metabolic bone disease. In: Firestein GS, et al. Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/155482233-4/0/1807/695.html?tocnode=55733918&fromURL=695.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3285-4..10092-0_3381. Accessed Aug. 19, 2009.
- Bone mineral density (BMD) testing: What the numbers mean. National Osteoporosis Foundation. http://www.nof.org/osteoporosis/bmdtest.htm. Accessed Aug. 25, 2009.
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