The bone density test, or bone densitometry, is a test that measures the health of your bones to determine if you have osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by the progressive thinning of bone tissue, which results in thin or weak bones that are susceptible to fracture.

There are currently an estimated 10 million Americans suffering from osteoporosis as well as another 18 million who have low bone mass. Researchers estimate that 50% of women over the age of 50 will suffer a fracture of the hip, wrist or vertebra. The risk of fracture in men of the same age group is about 13%.

Osteoporosis occurs when the body fails to form enough new bone, or when too much old bone is reabsorbed by the body, or both. Calcium and phosphate are two minerals that are essential for normal bone formation. Throughout youth, the body uses these minerals to produce bones. If calcium intake is not sufficient, or if the body does not absorb enough calcium from your diet, bone production and bone tissues may suffer.

While there are a number of causes of osteoporosis, hormone deficiencies (estrogen in women and androgen in men) are the leading cause. Women - especially those over the age of 60 - are the most frequent sufferers of the disease. This is due to the loss of ovarian function and subsequent reduction in estrogen production that occurs during menopause.

Other risk factors include:

Although osteoporosis is not reversible, the effects may be prevented if treated early enough. A bone density test at West County Radiology is safe, simple, painless, and only takes a few minutes.

You will be asked to lie down on an examination table beneath a special x-ray machine. The technologist will prop your legs up on a pillow and scan your lower back in the lumbar spine region. Your feet will then be taken off the pillow and rotated inwards. The technologist will then scan your hip. The test will only take a couple of minutes.

Test results, called T-scores, compare your bone density with the standard for young women.

A baseline scan can be used for future diagnosis as a comparative tool to gauge the rate of degeneration of your bone mass, as opposed to comparing your results against a broader population standard.

No preparation is required.

We suggest that you wear pants with an elastic waistband. This will allow you to remain in your own clothing for the test.

Unless you are pregnant, you should not worry about radiation exposure. A minimal, barely measurable amount of radiation is used.

The results from your test will be sent to your physician, who will discuss its findings with you.