Question 178 of 433
Who should have a bone density scan, and what do the numbers mean?
The short answer
All women by 65 and men by 70, and earlier for anyone with risk factors. The key number is the T-score.
Get tested sooner if you had early menopause, a fracture after 50, a parent with a hip fracture, long-term steroid use, low body weight, rheumatoid arthritis, heavy smoking or drinking, or treatment for breast or prostate cancer that lowers hormones.
T-score of -1.0 or above: normal.
Between -1.0 and -2.5: osteopenia.
-2.5 or below: osteoporosis.
Your doctor can combine the score with your history in a calculator called FRAX to estimate your ten-year fracture risk, which is what should guide treatment.
“This book is for education. It is not medical advice, and reading it does not make you my patient or create a doctor-patient relationship.” From the book’s medical disclaimer. Full disclaimer
GUIDELINE-BASED — Age- and risk-selected adults: DXA and fracture-risk assessment; screening recommendations differ for men.Evidence grade (draft mapping)GGuideline-based / consensusPart 13, Q178 · Part sources
From Longevity Unmasked by Afshine Ash Emrani, MD, FACC. Medical disclaimer. This book is for education. It is not medical advice, and reading it does not make you my patient or create a doctor-patient relationship. Nothing here is meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Medicine is personal: a test, drug, supplement, or exercise plan that helps one person can harm another. Do not start, stop, or change any medication or treatment because of something you read in these pages. Talk with a licensed clinician who knows your history first. If you think you are having a medical emergency, call 911. The author disclaims responsibility for any loss or harm arising from use of the information in this book.