A bone density test measures a person's bone mass and is used to detect osteoporosis, a condition that affects more than 10 million people in the U.S., according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Jessica Francois, ARNP, a nurse practitioner at Bethesda Women’s Health Center in Palm Beach County, Fla., explains who's at risk of osteoporosis and how the bone density tests works to detect it.

Want to see more?
Baptist Health South Florida’s Resource Blog https://baptisthealth.net/news
Like us on Facebook   / baptisthealthsf  
Follow Baptist Health on Twitter   / baptisthealthsf  
Follow Baptist Health on Instagram   / baptisthealthsf  
Follow Baptist Health on Pinterest   / baptisthealthsf  

[Transcript]

[Bone Density Test: Bethesda Women's Health Center]
Jessica Francois:
A bone density test measures the compactness or solidity of a bone. Physicians use this test to determine if a patient has osteoporosis, osteopenia, or normal bone mass. The patients this bone test benefits are individuals who are at high risk for fractures. The type of patients who need a bone density test include postmenopausal women, 50 years old and greater, men who are 70 years old and older, individuals who are on cortical steroids, family history of fractures; genetic plays a huge role in that. If an individual smokes, that increases their risk for fractures, as well. Rheumatoid arthritis causes bone demineralization, so that can also increase an individual's risk for fractures.
Jessica Francois:
The bone density test takes about 10 minutes to complete; it may take up to 15 minutes. The DXA scan acts as an Xray, and it takes pictures of the bone. It uses very minimal radiation; you actually get more radiation on an airplane, so it's nothing to be alarmed about, and it's a very small amount of radiation. The bone density test uses something called the Tscore. The Tscore measures osteopenia versus osteoporosis versus normal bone.
Jessica Francois:
If an individual has a 2.5 Tscore or below, that places them in the category of osteoporosis. If it's level 1 to 2.5, that places them in the category of osteopenia. If they have a 1 or greater, than that would indicate they have normal bone mass. A patient can have their primary care provider order the bone density test. We also offer it here at our clinic, and our practitioners can also order the bone density tests if they meet certain risk factors and certain qualifications to have that done.

[Connect BaptistHealthSF: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram Pinterest, Snapchat]

[End Transcript]