[ Talking to Your Doctor ]  [ Bone Mineral Density Test ]  [ Who Should Be Tested ]

Positive diagnoses for many conditions can lead to feelings of worry or fear—even disbelief or denial. A diagnosis of osteoporosis may feel at first like a shock, but with medication and lifestyle changes, loss of bone mass can be stopped and possibly reversed. And the actions you take—or don’t take—to help keep your bones strong can directly affect your chances of having a fracture (broken bone).

If you have osteoporosis, or if you're at risk for developing osteoporosis, it's important that you get information from a trusted source. Your healthcare provider is the best person to consult first, because he or she is most familiar with your health history and can determine if further tests may be needed. The Surgeon General recommends discussing the following topics with your doctor or other healthcare professional about your bone health:

• Ask to check your risk for bone disease.
• Discuss if you need a bone density test.
• Talk about any fall, even if you were not hurt. Tell him or her about any broken bones you've had.
• If you are over the age of 50 and you have fallen, ask about the need for a full evaluation. Tests include vision, balance, walking, muscle strength, heart function, and blood pressure.
• Go over all the medications you are taking (including over-the-counter ones). Do this at least once a year. Some medicines, or combinations of medicines, can make you drowsy or light-headed, which can lead to a fall.
• Ask if your doctor checks vision. Annual vision checks can help eliminate bone-breaking falls.
• Monitor your calcium and vitamin D intake. Report your totals to your doctor.
• If you would like to try a new physical activity, ask about the best choices for you.

Remember, it may take time to accept a diagnosis of osteoporosis, and to make the lifestyle adjustments needed to keep your bones strong. Try to learn as much as you can, so you can understand how to best take care of yourself.

To help diagnose osteoporosis, a doctor may first conduct a full medical exam, and then order a specialized test known as a bone mineral density (BMD) test. A BMD test is simple and painless. It is commonly used to measure the density of various bones. A BMD test can:

• Detect low bone density before a fracture occurs
• Predict the risk of experiencing a fracture in the future
• Determine the response to treatment

Your T-score compares your BMD to optimal or peak density of a 30-year-old, healthy adult and determines your fracture risk.

• Normal—T-score is greater than -1
• Osteopenia—T-score is less than -1 and greater than -2.5
• Osteoporosis—T-score is less than or equal to
  -2.5

Should you be tested for osteoporosis? Keep in mind that the risk for osteoporosis increases with age, and if you have any risk factors, testing becomes even more important as you grow older. Your doctor can perform these tests.

Learn more about risk factors for osteoporosis.