At what age should a woman get a bone density test?
Reviewed By: John Duncan, Ph.D.
Director of Operations at: VIASCAN
Women should get a bone density test around age 65, but for some women it’s smart to look at screening earlier maybe much earlier, if there are specific risk factors. Bone loss tends to move along quietly, like it’s happening in the background, and most of the time a person is not aware of it, or it doesn’t cause any obvious discomfort. It can also go unnoticed until a fracture shows up, which is why it matters to understand the recommended age for getting a bone density screening in the first place. From nearing menopause to family history of osteoporosis to taking an active role in your long-term health, this blog provides straightforward answers on testing and why it really matters.
What is a Bone Density Test and How Does it Work?
A bone density test is an imaging scan that uses an X-ray or other type of scan to measure the amount of minerals in your bones, most often done by a DEXA scan. The first step of the question, when should I get a DEXA scan? is to understand what it measures and how simple it is to get for the patient themselves.
What can a Bone Density test detect?
A bone density test provides measurable, actionable information for both the patient and their health care provider about bone health that is not available from a physical examination alone, and can detect osteopenia, osteoporosis and fracture risk. Having a DEXA scan is only half the story: knowing what it shows is just as essential.
Diagnosing Osteopenia, Osteoporosis and Fracture Risk
- If a T score is between -1.0 and -2.5, this means that the bone density is lower than it is in healthy individuals and there is a higher risk of developing the condition; however, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it will be more severe with time.
- A T score < -2.5 is considered osteoporosis, a substantial loss of bone that greatly increases the risk of fracture and should be discussed with a physician as part of a comprehensive clinical evaluation.
- Whole body bone loss screening using a DEXA scan is useful to provide a baseline measurement, which can be used to monitor bone density changes over time; repeat screening is therefore a useful tool in the management of fracture prevention screening in women at risk of bone loss.
- For lightweight women, low body weight bone health concerns are directly measurable using DEXA scanning – providing them with a real measurement of their bone mineral density, not just an estimated risk based on body weight alone.
A bone density scan and whole-body scan are two of the non-invasive, preventive imaging services offered at ViaScan of Las Colinas, which is intended for women who would like to determine the status of their bones before symptoms or fractures begin. These services are designed to help you have these conversations with your healthcare provider in an informed and proactive way, not in place of medical services. Seek professional assistance, begin the conversation early, and give your long-term health the visibility it deserves, with preventive imaging.
What age should a woman get a bone density test?
Women should start to get bone density tests at the age of 65. The recommendations of the major medical organizations for women at average risk is the standard. The recommended age for bone density screening is between 65 and 69 years, due to the increased rate of bone loss after menopause, and because at this age there is increased risk of osteoporosis and fracture that is clinically significant enough to recommend routine screening without symptoms.
General Screening Recommendations by Age:
For women of average risk, the standard guidelines for bone density screening are that it should start at age 65. Postmenopausal women younger than 65 who have one or more risk factors might need to be tested sooner. Fracture history is a powerful predictor of future bone fragility and injury risk, and women who have had a low-impact fracture should be screened as soon as possible, irrespective of age.
Which Women Should Have a Bone Density Test Before Age 65?
Bone density testing may be recommended for women before 65 with certain risk factors. Earlier screening enables identification of bone loss at a time when it can be monitored and managed more proactively, creating fracture prevention screening as a practical tool, not a reactive one.
There are other risk factors that might lead to earlier screening.
- Women who go into menopause early (before age 45) should undergo bone loss screening because the longer they wait for routine screening age, the longer they have to wait for the accelerated bone loss to return to normal.
- Low body weight bone health is a known risk factor — and women with a BMI less than 21 or body weight less than 127 should be screened earlier in the course of the disease, where other risk factors are also present.
- A history of fracture from minor trauma, a family history of hip fracture, use of corticosteroid medications for a prolonged period of time, rheumatoid arthritis, or celiac disease are all factors that can help justify earlier bone density testing than the typical screening age.
- In addition to the other modifiable risk factors, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and the duration of vitamin D or calcium deficiency may signal a healthcare provider to consider fracture prevention screening earlier in the life of a particular individual.
Knowing the DEXA Scan Procedure:
DEXA is a Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry scan which employs two low-dose X-ray beams to assess bone mineral density at specific locations, usually the hip and spine. The scan takes only a few minutes, is pain-free and does not involve an injection or preparation. The results are expressed as a T-score compared with a healthy young adult, to determine if the bone is normal, osteopenia or osteoporosis.
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Conclusion
Bone density testing is one of the simplest and most important preventive measures for women, especially after menopause or if there are known risk factors. The suggested age for bone density screening is 65 for most women, but for women with increased risk, it should be screened at an earlier age. Las Colinas-based ViaScan offers professional bone density and whole-body scanning services, helping to deliver the proactive health awareness that every woman should have.
Director of Operations at : VIASCAN
John Duncan, Ph.D., has been a leading expert in preventive cardiology for over 20 years. He has dedicated his career to helping thousands of people take control of their health before problems arise.
After working at the Cooper Institute for 15 years, he founded ViaScan, where he has helped tens of thousands of patients gain insight into their health through early detection of cardiovascular diseases and cancer.
