I am on Fosamax and am wondering if it is helping me. How often do I need to repeat a DEXA scan to see if it is working?
A. Ideally you would like to get a DEXA scan one year after starting on the medication to see if it is beneficial. Improvements in bone density take time to accomplish and if this test is done too frequently it may be interpreted incorrectly. Medicare is reimbursing for follow-up studies every two years and on a case-by-case basis at more frequent intervals.