Bone Mineral Density Testing

Back to Patient Education

Introduction

Bone Mineral Density Testing (BMD) is an evaluation used to help diagnose osteoporosis, a progressive disease that causes bone loss, and increases bone fracture risk.  Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) is a type of bone density testing.  BMD testing is generally recommended for women under the age of 65 with risk factors other than menopause, postmenopausal women with fractures, and all women age 65 and older.  It may also be used to assess bone integrity after the use of inhaled steroid medications for asthma or chemotherapy, and in relation to other conditions, including thyroid disorders, menopause, hysterectomy, premature fractures, and advanced age.
 
Preparation
 
BMD may be performed at your doctor’s office, an outpatient radiology center, or the radiology department of a hospital.  There are no special preparation instructions for BMD.
 
Procedure
 
BMD is a short procedure, usually lasting less than 15 minutes.  A technician will position your body for the test.  BMD is a painless procedure.
 
A radiology technician may perform your test, but is not qualified to diagnose or discuss your condition or results with you.  A radiologist or your doctor will discuss your results with you.
Back to top

Copyright ©  - iHealthSpot Interactive - www.iHealthSpot.com

This information is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be used in place of an individual consultation or examination or replace the advice of your health care professional and should not be relied upon to determine diagnosis or course of treatment.

The iHealthSpot patient education library was written collaboratively by the iHealthSpot editorial team which includes Senior Medical Authors Dr. Mary Car-Blanchard, OTD/OTR/L and Valerie K. Clark, and the following editorial advisors: Steve Meadows, MD, Ernie F. Soto, DDS, Ronald J. Glatzer, MD, Jonathan Rosenberg, MD, Christopher M. Nolte, MD, David Applebaum, MD, Jonathan M. Tarrash, MD, and Paula Soto, RN/BSN. This content complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. The library commenced development on September 1, 2005 with the latest update/addition on February 16, 2022. For information on iHealthSpot’s other services including medical website design, visit www.iHealthSpot.com.

Footer

Patient Testimonials

Don’t take it from us; hear what our patients like most about us.
LEARN MORE

Patient Education

Learn more with our interactive patient education guide.
LEARN MORE

Blog

We bring you all that’s new in internal medicine, alternative medicine, medical weight loss, and aesthetics.

LEARN MORE

East Brunswick, NJ 08816
Warren, NJ 07059
Phone: (732) 828-9988  Fax: (732) 828-1010

Copyright © · address here · All Rights Reserved

iHealthspot Medical Website Design and Medical Marketing by iHealthSpot.com

UniMed Center provides internal medicine, aesthetics, medical weight loss, and alternative medicine services to patients in East Brunswick, NJ, and surrounding areas.