Low-Cost Osteoporosis Testing

Bone density studies measure the amount of calcium in specific areas of your bones.  This amount of calcium is related to the risk for fracture in numerous studies.  Greater amounts of calcium (thicker bones) are associated with fewer fractures.  The amount of calcium in your bones is determined by genetic and environmental reasons.  The genetic reasons include whether your parents had thick bones or not.  The environmental reasons include how much calcium you have ingested in your life, the amount of weight bearing exercise and what other medical conditions may be present.

Bone thickness may be described as being normal, osteopenia (low bone mass) or osteoporotic.  Individuals with normal bone thickness are not felt to be at increased risk for fractures, although they can and do occur.   As your bone thickness decreases, from normal to osteopenia for example, the risk for fracture increases.  If your bone density study shows that you have osteopenia or osteoporosis, it does not mean necessarily that you will fracture.  It simply means that there is an increased risk for fracture.