{"id":3208,"date":"2019-12-23T10:57:03","date_gmt":"2019-12-23T17:57:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.healthimages.com\/?p=3208"},"modified":"2023-01-23T07:52:01","modified_gmt":"2023-01-23T14:52:01","slug":"when-to-get-bone-density-test","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.healthimages.com\/when-to-get-bone-density-test\/","title":{"rendered":"When to Get a Bone Density Test"},"content":{"rendered":"
Medical professionals\u00a0use bone density tests<\/a>\u00a0to determine a patient’s osteoporosis diagnosis. Understanding this procedure can help you know whether you need it and when you need it. This guide will answer these questions and more:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A bone density test involves the use of advanced x-ray techniques to measure bone strength. Before doctors could perform this test, they could only tell if a patient had osteoporosis when they broke a bone. Now, they can use a bone density test to look at a patient’s bone composition. This screening lets medical professionals take a proactive approach to diagnosing osteoporosis.<\/p>\n Technologists can perform a variety of x-ray types to test bone density. They most commonly use dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, also known as DXA or DEXA. A\u00a0DEXA test<\/a>\u00a0for bone density takes about 10 to 30 minutes. The technologist will use DEXA to look at osteoporosis-prone bones such as your forearm bones, spine or femur. Other types of bone density tests include quantitative computed tomography (QCT), and single-energy x-ray absorptiometry (SXA).<\/p>\n The following factors affect whether you should get a bone density test:<\/p>\n Since bone density tests accurately detect a patient’s bone material, they have many uses. Doctors request these screenings for a variety of purposes, including:<\/p>\n Doctors have varying opinions on how often someone should have a bone density test after their first one. Some major medical groups believe that patients don’t need more than one test in the first three years after osteoporosis diagnosis. Others recommend getting bone density tests every year or two during osteoporosis treatment. Ask your doctor to see how often they think you should receive the test.<\/p>\n At Health Images, we perform a variety of diagnostic tests, including bone density tests. Schedule your appointment today by contacting\u00a0one of our locations in Colorado<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n
What Is a Bone Density Test?<\/h2>\n
Types of Bone Density Tests<\/h2>\n
Who Should Get a Bone Density Test?<\/h2>\n
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Reasons to Receive a Bone Density Test<\/h2>\n
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How Often to Have a Bone Density Test During Osteoporosis Treatment<\/h2>\n
Schedule a Bone Density Test at Health Images<\/h2>\n