Bone loss begins to speed up for all girls of their mid-30s, so when you’re beneath 50 and suppose DEXA scans and bone density considerations don’t apply to you—maintain up.
That is info you’ll need beneath your belt sooner slightly than later. Let’s speak about why.
What’s a DEXA Scan?
A DEXA scan (quick for dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry) is a fast, non-invasive take a look at that measures the mineral content material of your bones to evaluate bone density and monitor modifications over time.
Whereas it makes use of a small quantity of radiation, publicity is minimal—about one-tenth that of a chest x-ray and fewer than what you’d get from a single day of background radiation.
The scan takes about 10 minutes. You’ll lie on a desk whereas an imaging arm passes over key websites—mostly the lumbar backbone, hip, femoral neck, and wrist.
Why You Would possibly Want a DEXA Scan Sooner Than You Assume
At this yr’s BHOF Interdisciplinary Symposium on Osteoporosis, girls’s well being researcher Dr. Amanda Clark stated plainly: “Ready till age 65 to guage skeletal well being is just too late.”
Why? As a result of girls start to lose bone quickly within the yr earlier than their ultimate menstrual interval (the official marker of menopause), and that elevated fee of loss continues for about two years after. On this quick window, girls lose a mean of 10% of their whole bone mass.
Because the common age of menopause is between 45 and 55, a girl might be dropping bone for 10 to twenty years with none consciousness or intervention.
Bone reworking—a wholesome, lifelong course of by which previous or broken bone is damaged down and changed by new tissue—slows over time. By our mid-30s, bone resorption begins to outpace bone formation, leading to a gradual however regular decline in bone mass.
This loss accelerates through the menopausal transition, when estrogen—a key driver of bone formation—declines.
Whereas the CDC and the Bone Well being & Osteoporosis Basis (BHOF) nonetheless advocate a primary DEXA scan at age 65, many specialists are calling for up to date tips that mirror rising proof: Girls profit from having a baseline scan a lot earlier. Quite a few threat components already qualify many ladies for early screening—and insurance coverage will sometimes cowl the scan with a health care provider’s prescription indicating only one.
Tips on how to Get a Baseline DEXA Sooner
Insurance coverage sometimes covers a DEXA scan when osteoporosis threat is medically justified. With so many threat components—starting from physique composition to medicines—most ladies are seemingly lined for early testing.
Beneath is a non-exhaustive record of threat classes that will help you start a dialog together with your healthcare supplier:
Physique Composition & Demographic Threat Components
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Low Physique Weight / Slender Construct – Much less bone mass will increase vulnerability to loss.
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Race – White and Asian girls face the next threat of osteoporosis.
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Household Historical past – A dad or mum with osteoporosis or a fragility fracture raises your threat.*
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Fall Historical past – A bent to fall will increase fracture threat.*
Even minor falls (from standing peak or much less) that end in fractures ought to be thought of purple flags. For instance, in case your mother broke her wrist tripping over a rug, that’s thought of a fragility fracture—even when she wasn’t formally identified with osteoporosis.
Hormonal & Reproductive Components
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Menopause-Associated Hormone Decline
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Early Menopause (pure or surgical)
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Amenorrhea / Irregular Menstrual Cycles
Dietary & Consuming Habits Components
Life-style Components
Illness-Associated Components
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Endocrine & Hormonal Issues (e.g., hyperthyroidism, Cushing’s)
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Gastrointestinal Illnesses (e.g., celiac, Crohn’s)
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Autoimmune Situations (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis)
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Most cancers
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HIV/AIDS
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Anorexia Nervosa
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Vertebral Abnormalities (e.g., scoliosis, unexplained peak loss)
Medicine-Associated Components
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Glucocorticoids / ACTH
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Antiepileptic Medicine
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Most cancers Hormonal Therapies
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Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)
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SSRIs (Antidepressants)
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Thiazolidinediones (for Kind 2 Diabetes)
Along with this record, on-line instruments such because the Worldwide Osteoporosis Basis Threat Test, FRAX Fracture Threat Evaluation Device, and Garvan Fracture Threat Calculator will help estimate your osteoporosis and fracture dangers.
Can I Get a DEXA Scan if I Don’t Have Any Threat Components?
Sure—you’ll be able to nonetheless select to get one. Out-of-pocket prices sometimes vary from $100–$250, and you may usually use HSA/FSA funds. Whereas it’s an upfront expense, think about it an funding in prevention.
A baseline scan offers you information. And information offers you energy.
You should definitely name forward—not all imaging facilities supply self-pay DEXA scans and not using a referral.
What Do My DEXA Outcomes Imply?
DEXA scan outcomes are sometimes reported as T-scores and Z-scores.
- The T-score compares your bone mineral density (BMD) to that of a wholesome 30-year-old grownup of the identical organic intercourse (thought of peak bone mass).
- The Z-score compares your BMD to the typical of individuals your age and intercourse.
Osteoporosis is identified utilizing the T-score. A decrease (extra unfavourable) rating signifies higher bone loss:
Be aware: Z-scores could also be extra helpful for figuring out secondary causes of bone loss in youthful girls and premenopausal populations.
- A T-score between -1.0 and -2.5 signifies low bone mass (osteopenia).
- A T-score of -2.5 or decrease signifies osteoporosis.
Every T-score level roughly correlates with a share of bone loss. For instance:
- A T-score of -1.0 displays about 10% bone loss
- A T-score of -2.5 displays roughly 25% bone loss
The Backside Line
Given the wide selection of threat components, most ladies are eligible—and sensible—to get an early DEXA scan. Don’t assume your bones are wholesome simply since you really feel wholesome.
Speak together with your physician about your private threat profile and ask for a prescription to get a baseline scan. Out of your mid-30s on, bone loss is occurring whether or not you see it or not.
The excellent news? You’ll be able to gradual it down and even construct bone by participating in confirmed, proactive methods like progressive power coaching and impression coaching. And since peak bone mass is usually achieved by early maturity, we additionally have to encourage the following technology—our youngsters and teenagers—to interact in bone-building actions now, so that they’ll have a stronger basis for many years to return.
Hold lifting, leaping, and looking for sturdy bones at all ages. —Karin
References:
- Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC).(2024). DEXA Scans: Details and Stats. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/radiation-health/data-research/facts-stats/dexa-scan.html
- Nationwide Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Pores and skin Illnesses (NIAMS).(n.d.). Osteoporosis. Nationwide Institutes of Well being. Retrieved from https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/osteoporosis
- Cosman, F. et al.(2024). Proceedings of the 2024 Santa Fe Bone Symposium: Replace on the Administration of Osteoporosis and Uncommon Bone Illnesses. Bone Reviews. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1094695024000921
- Worldwide Osteoporosis Basis (IOF).(n.d.). Osteoporosis Assets and Threat Instruments. Retrieved from https://www.osteoporosis.basis
- Examine of Girls’s Well being Throughout the Nation (SWAN).(2023). Bone Well being Truth Sheet. Retrieved from https://www.swanstudy.org/wps/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/SWAN-Truth-Sheets-Bone.pdf
- College of Alabama at Birmingham.(n.d.). Step 2: Bone Density Testing – Value. UAB Tone Your Bones. Retrieved from https://www.uab.edu/shp/toneyourbones/step-2-bone-density-testing/price
- Sidecar Well being.(n.d.). DEXA Scan Value: Value Lookup Device. Retrieved from https://price.sidecarhealth.com/c/dexa-scan-cost
- Florencio-Silva, R., et al.(2015). Biology of Bone Tissue: Construction, Operate, and Components That Affect Bone Cells. BioMed Analysis Worldwide, 2015, Article ID 421746. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/421746
- NIH Consensus Growth Panel.(2001). Osteoporosis Prevention, Analysis, and Remedy. JAMA, 285(6), 785–795. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.285.6.785
- Nieves, J. W.(2005). Skeletal Results of Vitamins and Nutraceuticals, Past Calcium and Vitamin D. Osteoporosis Worldwide, 16(7), 773–782. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-005-1919-7
- Riggs, B. L., & Melton, L. J.(1986). Involutional Osteoporosis. New England Journal of Medication, 314(26), 1676–1686. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJM198606263142605
- Krabbe, S., & Christiansen, C.(1984). Bone Turnover in Postmenopausal Girls. Journal of Scientific Endocrinology & Metabolism, 59(2), 373–379. https://doi.org/10.1210/jcem-59-2-373
