What Is Osteoporosis?

By dr. gromatzky

Article Sources

Article Sources

• 1. Ganesan K, Jandu JS, Roane D. Osteoporosis (Secondary) [Updated 2020 Jun 30]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470166/
• 2. Pouresmaeili F, Kamalidehghan B, Kamarehei M, Goh YM. A comprehensive overview on osteoporosis and its risk factors. Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2018;14:2029-2049. Published 2018 Nov 6. doi:10.2147/TCRM.S138000
• 3. Varacallo M, Seaman TJ, Jandu JS, et al. Osteopenia. [Updated 2020 Apr 27]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499878/

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5. Evaluation and Diagnosis

The presence of osteoporosis will be evaluated by a doctor and the key is to diagnose it early before a bone fracture occurs. The underlying cause of their suspicion for osteoporosis will guide exactly what they will be looking for. They could do tests on blood, hormones, minerals, certain markers for bone resorption and formation, etc. If a fracture is suspected the doctor will order an x-ray.¹Ganesan K, Jandu JS, Roane D. Osteoporosis (Secondary) [Updated 2020 Jun 30]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470166/

The diagnosis of osteoporosis is made by using a dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) bone scan. This scan measures the ‘T-score’. If this score comes back less than or equal to -2.5 with the presence of a fracture due to minimal trauma, then a diagnosis of osteoporosis is made.¹Ganesan K, Jandu JS, Roane D. Osteoporosis (Secondary) [Updated 2020 Jun 30]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470166/