Bone Mineral Density Measurement to Evaluate Your Bone Strength

A bone mineral density (BMD) test is for measuring the density of minerals in bones using special x-ray or computed tomography (CT) scan. This test is conducted to estimate the strength of the bones. The bone density refers to the ratio of weight to the volume or area of the bones. Bone mineral density also depends upon the age, height and degree of physical maturity.

Bones tend to become thinner with age because existing bones are broken down at a faster rate as compared to the rate of new bone formation. Bones lose calcium and other minerals and become lighter and porous.

Bone Mineral Density Gives Valuable Information To:

  • Detect low bone density
  • Predict a person’s probability of breaking a bone in the future
  • Confirm a diagnosis of osteoporosis when a person has already broken a bone
  • Monitoring the effects of menopause.
  • Monitor a person’s response to treatment
  • Provide information about skeletal development in children
  • Determine whether a person’s bone density is increasing, decreasing or remaining stable

The Several Methods to Measure Bone Mineral Density Are As Follows:

  • Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA)
  • Peripheral dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (P-DEXA)
  • Dual photon absorptiometry (DPA)
  • Quantitative computed tomography (QCT)
If the bone density is lower than normal, steps can be taken to increase the bone strength to reduce the chance of having a fracture. Bone densitometry measurements are used to estimate fracture risk in people of all ages. These are simple, painless and non-invasive methods used to measure the bone density.

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