FAQ Bone Densitometry (DEXA)
- What's the difference between heel, spine
and femur exams?
- How much radiation am I exposed to?
- Should I have a screening before menopause?
- How often should I have this exam?
- National
Osteoporosis Foundation web site
1. What's the difference between heel, spine and femur exams?
Peripheral examination of the heel or wrist is considered adequate
for screening patients at low risk for development of osteoporosis.
DEXA (dual energy x-ray absorptiometry) of the spine and femur is
the gold standard measurement for diagnosis and measurement of treatment
response. The spine and hip are the areas where osteoporotic fracture
occurs most frequently.
2. How much radiation am I exposed to?
Radiation exposure from all bone densitometry examinations is
minimal, comparable to 1/10th the exposure received from a chest
x-ray or to the naturally occurring radiation you are exposed to
in one week.
3. Should I have a screening before menopause?
Bone densitometry screening before menopause is generally not
indicated without prolonged steroid use, however, your physician
may recommend examination if you exhibit other significant risk
factors.
4. How often should I have this exam?
Medical opinion on frequency of bone densitometry examination varies.
Examination every 3 to 4 years after menopause is generally recommended.
More frequent examination, every 6 months to annually, may be recommended
to monitor response to drug therapy.
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