Who Needs a Bone Mineral Density Test?
Anyone at any age, male or female with one or more of the risk factors for osteoporosis should have a dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan. A DXA scan is an X-ray which is analyzed to determine bone density. It is a simple and painless procedure using an extremely low dose of radiation. It is short (about 15 minutes), accurate and is carried out with the person lying fully clothed on a padded examination table. The most common areas to be scanned are the lumbar spine and hips. The earlier osteoporosis is identified, the more that can be done to prevent it from progressing. For example, it is useful for women in their early to late 30s to have a baseline scan for comparison in their later years.
