July 1, 2004 |
Bone Health Q&A on Bone Density Test Question Now that I am in menopause, I am considering getting a bone mineral density test. However, I am very confused about how often I should repeat the test. Can you suggest any guidelines? Martina Answer Dear Martina, I am so glad that you asked me this very important question, since periodic bone mineral density testing is so crucial for the early detection of osteoporosis. I am particularly attuned to this issue since I have seen so many women in my practice with low bone density and even osteoporosis, who are only in their late 40s or 50s. I strongly recommend that all women get a baseline test done during perimenopause, or at the very latest during the first year after menstruation has ceased, since women tend to lose one to three percent of their bone mass every year during the first five to ten years after entering menopause. If you have no family history of osteoporosis, and baseline testing shows that you have strong, dense bones that are within the normal range, then repeat testing can be done in three years. However, if you are diagnosed with low bone density or osteoporosis, then retesting should be done much more frequently. Given the dangers of developing an osteoporosis-related fracture later on in life, I strongly believe that high risk women should be treated aggressively, and that retesting of their bone mineral density should be done once a year until their bone mass is restored to normal. At that point, testing can be done every other year.
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