Osteoporosis Diagnosis
In most cases, osteoporosis is diagnosed during a scheduled screening for the condition. Experts advise women older than 65 years old or people who are prone to the condition to undergo routine screening.
The following requirements are needed to make a diagnosis:
- Medical history, including previous fractures, lifestyle behaviors, and family history
- Physical exam, including balance, gait, and muscle strength
- Bone mineral density testing like a DXA scan
Your doctor may order a bone mineral density testing to help:
- Monitor the effectiveness of your osteoporosis treatments
- Find low bone density that can later lead to osteoporosis
- Diagnose osteoporosis
The testing uses X-rays to evaluate the density of the bones.