Bone Mineral Density Test

A bone mineral density (BMD) test measures how much calcium and other types of minerals are in an area of your bone.

This test helps your health care provider detect osteoporosis and predict your risk of bone fractures.

Alternative Names

BMD test; Bone density test; Bone densitometry; DEXA scan; DXA; Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry; p-DEXA; Osteoporosis-BMD

How the Test is Performed

Bone density testing can be done several ways.

The most common and accurate way uses a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan. DEXA uses low-dose x-rays. (You receive more radiation with a chest x-ray.)

There are two types of DEXA scans:

Central DEXA. You lie on a soft table. The scanner passes over your lower spine and hip. In most cases, you do not need to undress. This scan is the best test to predict your risk of fractures.
Peripheral DEXA (p-DEXA). These smaller machines measure the bone density in your wrist, fingers, leg, or heel. These machines are in health care offices, pharmacies, shopping centers, and at health fairs.

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How to Prepare for the Test

If you are or could be pregnant, tell your provider before this test is done.

How the Test Will Feel

The scan is painless. You need to remain still during the test.

Why the Test is Performed

Bone mineral density (BMD) tests are used to:

Diagnose bone loss and osteoporosis
See how well osteoporosis medicine is working
Predict your risk of future bone fractures

You should have bone mineral testing or screening if you have an increased risk of osteoporosis. You are more likely to get osteoporosis if you are:

A woman, age 65 or older
A man, age 70 or older

Women under age 65 and men ages 50 to 70 are at increased risk of osteoporosis if they:

Have a broken bone caused by normal activities, such as a fall from standing height or lower (fragility fracture)
Have chronic rheumatoid arthritis, chronic kidney disease, or eating disorders
Have early menopause (either from natural causes or surgery)
History of hormone treatment for prostate cancer or breast cancer
Have had a significant loss of height due to compression fractures of the back
Smoke
Have a strong family history of osteoporosis
Take corticosteroid medicines (prednisone or methylprednisolone) every day for more than 3 months
Take thyroid hormone replacement
Have three or more drinks of alcohol a day on most days

Current practice recommends BMD retesting every 2 years. However, some women may be able to wait a much longer time between their screening tests. Talk to your provider about how often you should be tested.

Normal Results

The results of your test are usually reported as a T-score and Z-score:

T-score compares your bone density with that of a healthy young women.
Z-score compares your bone density with that of other people of your age, gender, and race.

With either score, a negative number means you have thinner bones than average. The more negative the number, the higher your risk of a bone fracture.

A T-score is within the normal range if it is -1.0 or above.

What Abnormal Results Mean

Bone mineral density testing does not diagnose fractures. Along with other risk factors you may have, it helps predict your risk of having a bone fracture in the future. Your provider will help you understand the results.

If your T-score is:

Between -1 and -2.5, you may have early bone loss (osteopenia).
Below -2.5, you likely have osteoporosis.

Treatment recommendation depends on your total fracture risk. This risk can be calculated using the FRAX score. Your provider can tell you more about this. You can also find information about FRAX online.

Risks

Bone mineral density uses a slight amount of radiation. Most experts feel that the risk is very low compared with the benefits of finding osteoporosis before you break a bone.

References

Berry SD, Samelson EJ, Pencina MJ, et al. Repeat bone mineral density screening and prediction of hip and major osteoporotic fracture. JAMA. 2013;310:1256-62. PMID: 24065012 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24065012.

Committee on Practice Bulletins-Gynecology, The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. ACOG Practice Bulletin 129. Osteoporosis. Obstet Gynecol. 2012;120:718-34. PMID: 22914492 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22914492.

De Paula FJA, Black DM, Rosen CJ. Osteoporosis and bone biology.In: Melmed S, Polonsky KS, Larsen PR, Kronenberg HM, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016: chap 29.

Gourlay ML, Fine JP, Preisser JS, et al. Bone-density testing interval and transition to osteoporosis in older women. N Engl J Med. 2012 Jan 19;366(3):225-33. PMID: 22256806 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22256806.

National Osteoporosis Foundation. Clinician's Guide to Prevention and Treatment of Osteoporosis. Washington, DC: National Osteoporosis Foundation; 2014.

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for osteoporosis: recommendation statement. Am Fam Physician. 2011;83:1197-200. PMID: 21568254 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21568254.