Osteoporosis screening
If you or your health professional thinks you may be at risk for developing osteoporosis, you may have a screening test to check your bone thickness. A screening test may be advisable if you have:
- A fracture in a minor injury that may have been caused by osteoporosis.
- Another medical condition that is known to cause bone thinning.
- Risk factors for or symptoms that suggest osteoporosis.
The Osteoporosis Society of Canada recommends that people 65 years and older have a bone mineral density (BMD) test to screen for osteoporosis.1 If you are at increased risk for osteoporotic fractures, screening should begin earlier. BMD tests may or may not be covered under provincial health plans. Ask your doctor about your risk factors and whether you should be tested for osteoporosis before age 65.
Most experts recommend that the decision to screen women age 60 and younger be made on an individual basis, depending on the risk of developing osteoporosis and whether the test results will help with treatment decisions. To help you decide whether you should be tested for osteoporosis, see:
For more information, see the topic Osteoporosis.
| Author: | Douglas Dana Robin Parks, MS | Last Updated: February 21, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine Carla J. Herman, MD, MPH - Internal Medicine Andrew Swan, MD, CCFP, FCFP - Family Medicine | |
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