Brookhaven OB-GYN offers bone density testing performed in-house by our trained staff. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists suggests that all women aged 65 years or older should have a bone mineral density (BMD) test. Women who are younger than 65 years and past menopause should have a BMD test if they have had a bone fracture due to fragile bones or have other risk factors for osteoporosis. These factors include: rheumatoid arthritis, smoking, alcoholism, a history of hip fracture in a parent, or body weight less than 127 pounds. The frequency of BMD testing depends on your age and results of your previous BMD testing.
Bone density testing can help determine:
•Whether you have osteoporosis
•Your rate of bone loss
•Your risk of future fracture
During the test, you lie down for 3–10 minutes while a machine scans your body. This test is similar to a routine X-ray but is more accurate in detecting the rate of bone loss. BMD testing will help detect problems before a fracture occurs. With this test you are exposed to a small amount of radiation—less than the amount in a normal chest X-ray.