Who Should Have a Bone Mineral Density Test?

Risk factors for osteoporosis

Certain factors are associated with an increased risk of developing osteoporosis (see Prevention of Osteoporosis). Take a 1-minute osteoporosis risk test from the International Osteoporosis Foundation. 

If a person has any of these risk factors or other signs of osteoporosis, a doctor may recommend that bone mass is measured. Risk factors for osteoporosis include the following:

• Advancing age



• Early menopause (age <45 years)



• Female sex



• Asian or white race



• Family history of hip fracture



• Low body weight



• Long-term corticosteroid therapy  



• Chronic disorders associated with osteoporosis, such as anorexia nervosa or liver disease



• Previous broken bones with minimal trauma 



• Poor diet without enough calcium



• Lack of exercise



• Smoking

Current recommendations

According to current recommendations in the United States by the National Osteoporosis Foundation, the following individuals should have a bone mineral density test:

• All women 65 years and older, regardless of risk factors



• Younger postmenopausal women who have one or more risk factors (other than being white, postmenopausal, and female)



• Postmenopausal women who present with fractures (to confirm the diagnosis and determine disease severity)

Medicare and bone mineral density testing

• Medicare covers bone mineral density testing for the following individuals 65 years and older:
  
  

  • Women with low estrogen levels who have risk factors for osteoporosis

  • Men and women with abnormalities of the spine (vertebral abnormalities)

  • Men and women who are receiving (or are going to receive) long-term steroid (glucocorticoid) therapy

  • Individuals with primary hyperparathyroidism

  • Men and women on drug therapy for osteoporosis who are being monitored to determine the effectiveness of the drug therapy

• Medicare permits individuals to repeat bone mineral density testing every 2 years.