When Ought to You Get a DEXA Scan? Consultants Say Sooner Than You Suppose

Bone loss begins to speed up for all ladies of their mid-30s, so should you’re underneath 50 and suppose DEXA scans and bone density considerations don’t apply to you—maintain up.

That is info you’ll need underneath your belt sooner fairly 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 adjustments 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 May Want a DEXA Scan Sooner Than You Suppose

At this yr’s BHOF Interdisciplinary Symposium on Osteoporosis, ladies’s well being researcher Dr. Amanda Clark mentioned plainly: “Ready till age 65 to judge skeletal well being is just too late.”

Why? As a result of ladies start to lose bone quickly within the yr earlier than their closing menstrual interval (the official marker of menopause), and that elevated charge of loss continues for about two years after. On this quick window, ladies lose a mean of 10% of their complete bone mass.

For the reason that common age of menopause is between 45 and 55, a lady could possibly be shedding bone for 10 to twenty years with none consciousness or intervention.

Bone transforming—a wholesome, lifelong course of wherein 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 throughout 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.

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 girls are doubtless coated for early testing.

Beneath is a non-exhaustive listing of threat classes that will help you start a dialog together with your healthcare supplier:

Physique Composition & Demographic Threat Elements

Low Physique Weight / Slender Construct – Much less bone mass will increase vulnerability to loss.
Race – White and Asian ladies face the next threat of osteoporosis.
Household Historical past – A guardian with osteoporosis or a fragility fracture raises your threat.*
Fall Historical past – An inclination to fall will increase fracture threat.*

Even minor falls (from standing top or much less) that end in fractures must be thought of crimson 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 Elements

Menopause-Associated Hormone Decline
Early Menopause (pure or surgical)
Amenorrhea / Irregular Menstrual Cycles

Dietary & Consuming Conduct Elements

Life-style Elements

Illness-Associated Elements

Endocrine & Hormonal Problems (e.g., hyperthyroidism, Cushing’s)
Gastrointestinal Illnesses (e.g., celiac, Crohn’s)
Autoimmune Situations (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis)
Most cancers
HIV/AIDS
Anorexia Nervosa
Vertebral Abnormalities (e.g., scoliosis, unexplained top loss)

Remedy-Associated Elements

Glucocorticoids / ACTH
Antiepileptic Medicine
Most cancers Hormonal Therapies
Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)
SSRIs (Antidepressants)
Thiazolidinediones (for Sort 2 Diabetes)

Along with this listing, on-line instruments such because the Worldwide Osteoporosis Basis Threat Examine, 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 Elements?

Sure—you may nonetheless select to get one. Out-of-pocket prices sometimes vary from $100–$250, and you may typically use HSA/FSA funds. Whereas it’s an upfront expense, take into account it an funding in prevention.

A baseline scan offers you information. And information offers you energy.

Make sure to 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 damaging) rating signifies higher bone loss:

Be aware: Z-scores could also be extra helpful for figuring out secondary causes of bone loss in youthful ladies 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 big selection of threat components, most girls are eligible—and clever—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 partaking in confirmed, proactive methods like progressive energy coaching and influence coaching. And since peak bone mass is usually achieved by early maturity, we additionally have to encourage the following era—our children and teenagers—to interact in bone-building actions now, so that they’ll have a stronger basis for many years to come back.

Preserve lifting, leaping, and searching for sturdy bones at all ages. —Karin

References:

Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC).(2024). DEXA Scans: Information 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 – Price. UAB Tone Your Bones. Retrieved from https://www.uab.edu/shp/toneyourbones/step-2-bone-density-testing/value
Sidecar Well being.(n.d.). DEXA Scan Price: Price Lookup Device. Retrieved from https://value.sidecarhealth.com/c/dexa-scan-cost
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NIH Consensus Growth Panel.(2001). Osteoporosis Prevention, Prognosis, and Remedy. JAMA, 285(6), 785–795. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.285.6.785
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Riggs, B. L., & Melton, L. J.(1986). Involutional Osteoporosis. New England Journal of Drugs, 314(26), 1676–1686. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJM198606263142605
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