The National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends bone mineral density (BMD) testing on the following individuals:
If you are a woman aged 65 or older or a man aged 70 or older, you should be tested for osteoporosis even if you have no other risk factors.
If you are a postmenopausal woman under age 65 or a man aged 50 to 70, and you have clinical risk factors that put you at risk for bone loss or fractures, you should be tested. Generally, risk factors include the following :
Fractures in adulthood (especially after age 50)
Low-trauma fractures
Family history of osteoporosis
Genetic factors
Sedentary lifestyle
Nutritional deficiencies
Excessive alcohol, soda, or caffeine intake
Cigarette smoking
Low body weight or body mass index (BMI)
below 22
Certain medications (especially steroids;)
Low testosterone levels in men
Amenorrhea (no menstrual periods) from
excessive exercise
Hormonal imbalances (prior to menopause)
Anorexia nervosa
Certain medical conditions
If you are a postmenopausal woman and have recently stopped taking estrogen, you should be tested.
If you are a woman experiencing the menopause transition and have specific risk factors that are associated with a higher risk for fracture, such as low weight, use of a high-risk medication, or previous low-trauma fracture, you should be tested.
If you are a man or a woman who had a fracture when you were over age 50, you should be tested.
If you are a woman or a man with a medical condition (e.g., arthritis) or are taking a medication (e.g., corticosteroid at 5 mg or more per day for 3 months or more) that is associated with bone loss or low bone mass, you should be tested.
If you are considering taking medication for osteoporosis, you should be tested.
If you are being treated for osteoporosis, you should be tested to monitor how well the treatment is working.
If knowing that you have bone loss would prompt you to use therapy, you should be tested.
You will note that several of the above recommendations refer specifically to men. Male patients and their clinicians should discuss their risk factors for osteoporosis, just as women should. Screening for bone loss is important for both women and men. Insurance coverage for testing of both men and women varies by insurance company. However, Medicare does cover bone density testing for those 65 or older who:
Have vertebral abnormalities (e.g., a hump or severe curvature)
Are estrogen-deficient (postmenopausal) women with a clinical risk for osteoporosis
Take or plan to take long-term glucocorticoid therapy (5 mg or more per day for 3 or more months)
Have primary hyperparathyroidism (overproduction of parathyroid hormone interferes with bone development)
Are being monitored for effects of or response to approved osteoporosis treatments
Testing may be repeated every 2 years, if you have Medicare. If you have medical coverage other than Medicare, you should check the guidelines for retesting with your insurance company.
Mark’s comment:
I had ulcerative colitis for many years, and I was treated with steroids to control the diarrhea and bleeding. My nurse practitioner always talked to me about exercise, calcium, and vitamin D to make sure I protected my bones as much as possible. She also sent me for a bone density test. The people at the testing place were surprised—they said she was really paying attention and that it was unusual but really good that she sent me to get tested.
They said bone loss hap-pens too often to guys like me, but that most clinicians don’t think to test for it. I guess I am one of the lucky ones because my bones were OK—but my nurse practitioner still tested me every few years and made sure I was getting enough calcium. Now I don’t take steroids anymore at all—I had surgery and they removed the part of the colon that caused my problems. I am so glad it is better, and that my bones are OK. I feel like I have my life ahead of me. I’m only 48, so keeping my bones strong now is really important.