Who should have an ultrasound scan?
Government data suggests that 1 in 3 women aged 60+ years will suffer an osteoporotic fracture. There is 100% agreement that this condition is preventable if diagnosed early. Therefore all women approaching menopause should have an assessment to determine their relative bone strength. Those found to be lower than expected can make changes to their lifestyle and diet to improve their bone health. Post menopausal women with low results may be advised, in addition to lifestyle changes, to undertake HRT treatment. Certainly compliance on HRT is dramatically improved when women have undertaken and ultrasound scan and have been found to be below normal, rather than prescribed HRT blindly. It is interesting to note that no GP prescribes antihypertensive medication without first measuring BP, however the majority prescribe HRT without an ultrasound or DEXA scan.
