Bone Density

A bone density test uses a small amount of X-ray to measure the amount of mineral in the bones of your lower back, hip and, at times, your forearm. For the test you will lie on a table and let the machine do all of the work, moving back and forth as it measures your bone density. Since this is a non-invasive test, you will not be given any injections or medications and can eat and drink normally before the test. Also, unlike an MRI, the machine utilized is very open, meaning you will not feel “closed in.”

Generally bone density tests are administered to:

• Anyone who suffers a low impact fracture of the hip, spine or forearm
• Women age 65 or older
• Men age 70 or older
• Menopausal women with risk factors
• Postmenopausal women under age 65 with risk factors
• Men age 50-69 with risk factors
• Anyone with a broken bone after age 50