As you age, your bones become more fragile. Approximately half of women over age 50 will be affected by osteoporosis. Men in their 50s don’t experience the rapid loss of bone mass women do following menopause, but they do start to experience density loss starting at ages 65-70.

It’s never too early or too late to keep your bones healthy. By detecting bone loss early, patients can begin treatment to minimize the devastating effects of this preventable disease, as well as take steps to prevent further bone loss.

If you are 65 or older, or have certain risk factors such as taking a medication that can cause bone thinning, your doctor may recommend a bone density test. Bone densitometry is used to measure the bone mineral content and density. This measurement can indicate decreased bone mass, a condition in which bones are more brittle and more prone to break or fracture easily. Bone densitometry is used primarily to diagnose osteoporosis and to determine fracture risk. The testing procedure measures the bone density of the bones of the spine, pelvis, lower arm, and thigh.

• Postmenopausal women not taking estrogen
• Advancing age, women over 65 and men over 70
• Smoking
• Family history of hip fracture
• Using steroids long-term or certain other medicines
• Certain diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes mellitus, liver disease, kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, or hyperparathyroidism
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Low BMI (body mass index)