Osteoporosis
How is the condition diagnosed?
Osteoporosis may be discovered in an X-ray taken for some other problem. X-rays
should not be used as the only test. Other tests are more sensitive and
reliable, such as the following:
blood bone markers, which measure collagen protein in the bone
bone mineral density
scans, such as DEXA scans and spinal CT scans
spinal X-rays, which may show vertebral compression fractures of the
spine
tests for serum osteocalcin, which is a marker of bone formation
tests that measure calcium in the urine, which increases in a person who
has osteoporosis
At this time, the most commonly used and reliable test is the DEXA scan.
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