Who Should Be Tested For Osteoporosis?

It is important to know if you have low bone mass or have osteoporosis.  If you do not find out that you have this disease it can continue to worsen.  

Osteoporosis is a crippling and debilitating disease.  If you do not treat osteoporosis, bone fractures or breaks can occur.  These injuries can lead to a loss of independence.  For many, the complications due to fractures lead to death. 

The test is called a Bone Mineral Density (BMD) test.  It is easy to do and not at all painful.  Most insurance companies will cover the cost of a BMD test.

According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation's Physician Guide to Prevention and Treatment of Osteoporosis, all women over the age of 65 should be tested for osteoporosis.  The complete set of guidelines can be found in the table below.  If you are at high risk, you should talk to your doctor about being tested.  Click here to find out what factors put you at risk.