Osteoporosis Diagnosis, Bone Density Testing, Prevention, Treatment, & Exercise
BONE DENSITY TESTING
Bone Densitometry: Bone Mineral Density (BMD) Testing
Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA) is the best way to measure bone density since it measures BMD at both the hip and the spine, two locations at risk for osteoporotic fracture. The DXA is painless and non-invasive and takes only minutes to complete.
When having a DXA-BMD or body composition test please wear workout-like or sweat-type clothing that DOES NOT have zippers, hooks, grommets or anything metal on them (also no bras with under wires, watches, bracelets, necklaces etc. please). Metal interferes with the DXA results.
Spokane Osteoporosis offer this state-of-the-art DXA testing with excellent precision and at convenient locations near where you live.
Endocrine Site (509) 777-5000
North Site (509) 777-5000
Spokane Valley Site (509) 777-5000
BMD Test Request
To request a BMD test at one of our sites, have your medical provider email us at osteoporosis@comcast.net, or call one of our offices.
DXA Bone Mineral Density (DXA-BMD) tests at all 3 of our sites cannot yet be made on line, but can be called (509-777-5000), faxed (509-777-0366) or emailed (osteoporosis@comcast.net) to us!
BMD Test Forms are available to fill out prior to coming to your bone density testing. Although they are not mandatory, but it will save time if you could fill it out. It is preferred by the offices if you would fill out the patient information form and patient insurance form in an effort to save time.
The drop in reimbursement for BMD testing, now down 40% and set to drop 70%, will put most Osteoporosis Centers out of business within the next year or two! See www.ISCD.org for more information.
Please help support the Testing Centers you know are committed to quality BMD testing, good precision and comprehensive reporting by filing out this
short one page form and sending it to the ISCD (International Society of Clinical Densitometry) or to us at osteoporosis@comcast.net. Thank you for helping!
Understanding your BMD Test
Hip and Spine BMD are reported as a T-score, the number of standard deviations (SD's) your BMD is above or below a normal, health 30 year old. Every 1 SD deficit at the hip increases the risk of fracture over 2.5 times.
T-Score Definitions for Hip and Spine BMD
Normal:
T-Score +1 to -1: Within 1 (SD) standard devision variation from peak BMD
Low bone Density 'Osteopenia' (a term no longer being used):
T-Score -1 to -2.49: 1.0 to 2.49 (SD) standard deviations below peak BMDOsteoporosis:
T-Score -2.5 of lower: 2.5 or more (SD) standard deviations below peak BMDNational Osteoporosis Foundation on Bone Mineral Density Testing
This week the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) expanded its guidelines on osteoporosis screening to include younger women at increased risk of bone fractures. The newly released guidelines expand routine screening to include all women 65 and older as well as younger women at increased risk of bone fractures.
These new recommendations are now closer to those issued by other groups, including the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF). The NOF currently recommends bone mineral density testing for women 65 and older, as well as some younger postmenopausal women, based on their risk factors (available here). Unlike the task force, however, NOF also recommends testing for all men 70 and older, and for men aged 50 to 69 with risk factors.
Osteoporosis can be prevented and can be diagnosed and treated before any fracture occurs. Importantly, even after the first fracture has occurred, there are effective treatments to decrease the risk of further fractures. Prevention, detection and treatment of osteoporosis should be a mandate of primary care providers.
Click here to learn more about NOF's indications for BMD Testing.
