Bone Mineral Density Tests (cont.)
IN THIS ARTICLE
- Bone Mineral Density Tests Introduction
- Who Should Have a Bone Mineral Density Test?
- What is a Bone Mineral Density Test?
- What Different Bone Mineral Density Tests are Available?
- Understanding Bone Mineral Density Test Results
- For More Information
- Web Links
- Multimedia
- Synonyms and Keywords
- Authors and Editors
- Osteoporosis - Slideshow

What is a Bone Mineral Density Test?
Bone mineral density tests measure the solidness and mass (bone density) in the spine, hip, and/or wrist (the most common sites of fractures due to osteoporosis). Some bone mineral density tests measure bone in the heel or hand. These tests are performed like x-ray films, and they are the only reliable way to determine loss of bone mass. They are painless, noninvasive, and safe.
Doctors examine bone mineral density test results to do the following:
- Detect low bone density (osteopenia) before a fracture occurs
- Confirm a diagnosis of osteoporosis if a person already has broken bones (fractures)
- Predict the chance of a person having a fracture in the future
- Determine the rate of bone loss and monitor the effects of treatment (tests performed to monitor treatment are usually conducted every year or so)
Next: What Different Bone Mineral Density Tests are Available? »
| Printer-Friendly Format | | | Email to a Friend |
Women's Health
Find out what women really need.
From WebMD
Medical Test Resources
- Back Pain: Do You Need a DEXA Scan?
- How Healthy is Your Skin? Start Here
- Is Your Home Making Your Sick?
Featured Centers
- Top 10 Asthma Cities
- Health Check: How to Choose The Right Vitamins
- 10 Triggers for the Holiday Blues
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Read What Your Physician is Reading on eMedicine
Osteoporosis (Primary): Differential Diagnoses & Workup »
Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease characterized by low bone mass and micro-architectural deterioration of bone tissue, with a consequent increase in bone fragility and susceptibility to bone fracture.
Explore 80+ Centers
- Allergy
- Allergy Medications
- Anaphylaxis
- Antidepressants
- Anxiety
- Arthritis
- Asthma
- Baby's Health
- Back, Neck, Head Injury
- Bioterrorism, Warfare
- Blood, Lymphatic System
- Bone, Joint, Muscle
- Brain, Nervous System
- Breathing Difficulties
- Burns
- Camping
- Cancer, Tumors
- Children's Health
- Cholesterol
- Cold and Flu
- CPR, Choking
- Cuts, Scrapes, Bruises
- Dementia
- Depression
- Diabetes
- Diabetic Coma, Insulin Shock
- Digestive System
- Dislocations
- Drowning
- Drug Overdose
- Ear, Nose, Throat
- Emotional Wellness
- Endocrine System
- Environmental Injuries
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Exercise, Nutrition
- Eye, Vision
- Fainting
- Fever
- First Aid, Emergency
- First Aid Kits
- Food Poisoning
- Foreign Bodies
- Fractures, Broken Bones
- Glaucoma
- Headache
- Health, Medical
- Heartburn, GERD, Reflux
- Heart, Blood Vessels
- Heart Attack
- Hepatitis
- Immune System
- Incontinence
- Infections
- Kidneys, Urinary System
- Lung, Airway
- Medications
- Men's Health
- Mental Health, Behavior
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Nosebleeds
- Osteoporosis
- Outdoor Living
- Overexposure
- Poisoning
- Procedures
- Psoriasis
- Public Health
- Scuba Diving, Swimming
- Seizures
- Senior Health
- Shock
- Skin, Hair, Nails
- Sleep Disorders
- Social, Family Health
- Sports Injury
- Sprains, Strains
- Statins
- STDs
- Substance Abuse
- Teen Health
- Teeth, Mouth, Oral Health
- Weight Management
- Wilderness Emergencies
- Women's Health
- Wounds


