Bone loss can develop gradually and without obvious symptoms. In some cases, the first indication of weakened bones is a fracture. A DEXA scan for bone density gives us a way to measure bone strength before that happens.
At Forbes Longevity Center in St. Petersburg, DEXA bone density testing is available as part of our comprehensive health evaluation. We use advanced testing to look for changes that may not be causing symptoms yet, so you and your physician have more information to work with when making decisions about your health.
What Is a DEXA Scan for Bone Density?
DEXA stands for dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. You may also see it written as DXA. It is a noninvasive test that uses low levels of X-rays to measure bone mineral density.
Bone mineral density refers to the amount of minerals, including calcium, contained in your bones. Generally, bones with greater mineral density are stronger and less likely to fracture.
A DEXA scan for bone density commonly measures areas such as the hip and spine. These are particularly important areas to evaluate because fractures in these locations can have a significant effect on mobility and independence.
The scan is painless and does not require surgery or injections. You lie on a padded table while the scanner passes over your body and takes the necessary measurements. The results can then be considered alongside other information about your health rather than viewing bone density as an isolated measurement.
Bone Loss Can Happen Without Warning Signs
Bone is living tissue that is continually changing. Throughout life, old bone is broken down and new bone is formed. As we get older, however, bone loss can begin to outpace the body’s ability to replace it.
For women, bone loss can accelerate after menopause as estrogen levels decline. Men also lose bone as they get older, although the pattern and timing can be different.
Age is only one factor. Family history, hormone levels, certain medications and medical conditions, smoking, alcohol use, nutrition, physical activity, and body weight can all influence bone density.
What makes bone loss particularly easy to overlook is that it usually does not hurt. You may feel strong, stay active, and have no reason to suspect that your bone density has changed.
This is an important part of why we use comprehensive testing at Forbes Longevity Center. How you feel matters, but symptoms do not always tell us everything that is happening inside your body. Testing can sometimes identify changes before they begin interfering with the way you feel or function.
A DEXA Scan Can Detect Low Bone Density Before a Fracture
The image below illustrates how the internal structure of bone can change as bone density decreases. The bone becomes increasingly porous, with larger spaces developing as bone loss progresses.
Osteoporosis is sometimes called a silent disease because it generally does not cause symptoms until a bone breaks.
Before osteoporosis develops, a person may have osteopenia. Osteopenia means bone density is lower than normal but has not reached the level used to diagnose osteoporosis.
A DEXA scan for bone density can identify these changes and provide information about fracture risk. It can also be used to monitor changes in bone density over time or evaluate how well osteoporosis treatment is working.
When we identify low bone density, the result becomes one piece of a larger health picture. Your medical history, medications, hormone levels, nutrition, exercise habits, previous fractures, and other findings can all matter when determining what the result means for you.
That is different from simply receiving a number from a scan. Our goal at Forbes Longevity Center is to understand how that number fits into your overall health.
Understanding Your DEXA Scan Results
Bone density results are often reported using a T-score.
A T-score compares your bone mineral density with that of a healthy young adult. The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases provides more information about bone density test results. For postmenopausal women and men age 50 and older, the results are generally interpreted as:
- A T-score of -1 or higher indicates healthy bone density.
- A T-score between -1 and -2.5 indicates osteopenia, or low bone density.
- A T-score of -2.5 or lower can indicate osteoporosis.
For younger adults, a Z-score may be used instead. This compares your bone density with what is typical for someone of the same age and sex.
At Forbes Longevity Center, we do not look at a DEXA result in isolation. A number can tell us that your bone density is lower than expected, but it does not necessarily tell us why.
For example, hormone changes, nutritional deficiencies, certain medications, medical conditions, and lifestyle factors can all affect bone health. Looking at your DEXA results alongside your medical history and other testing can help us better understand the factors that may be affecting your bones.
Who Should Have a DEXA Scan for Bone Density?
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends osteoporosis screening for women age 65 and older. It also recommends screening for postmenopausal women younger than 65 who are at increased risk for an osteoporosis-related fracture.
For men, there is currently not enough evidence for the Task Force to recommend routine osteoporosis screening for everyone at a particular age. Individual risk factors can help determine whether bone density testing is appropriate.
Certain medications and medical conditions can also affect bone health. A history of fractures, low body weight, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and other factors may influence whether testing should be considered.
At Forbes Longevity Center, our approach is individualized. We are not simply checking boxes based on your birthday. Your physician can review your history and risk factors and determine whether a DEXA scan for bone density makes sense as part of your evaluation.
Your Bone Density Can Affect More Than Your Bones
We pay attention to bone density because the effects of weakened bones can extend well beyond a fracture.
A hip or spinal fracture can interfere with walking, exercise, work, travel, and everyday activities. It can also make it more difficult to remain physically active during recovery.
Muscle strength and balance are important as well. Strong muscles support movement and stability, while good balance can reduce the risk of falls. When bone density is reduced, preventing falls becomes even more important because weaker bones can be more vulnerable to fracture.
This is where a comprehensive health evaluation can be especially valuable. Forbes Longevity Center can assess bone density along with body composition, cardiovascular fitness, laboratory results, nutrition, and other areas that can affect how well you continue to function.
We are interested not only in identifying disease, but also in helping you preserve the strength and physical ability you need for the life you want to continue living.
What Can You Do to Protect Your Bone Health?
What you should do next depends on what your DEXA scan shows and what else we learn about your health.
Regular weight-bearing and resistance exercise can support bone health while helping maintain muscle strength and balance. Adequate calcium, vitamin D, protein, and overall nutrition are also important.
Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can negatively affect bone health. Hormonal changes, medications, and underlying health conditions may also need to be considered. For some patients, evaluating hormone balance and discussing options such as bioidentical hormone therapy may be appropriate as part of an individualized approach to health.
If we identify osteopenia or osteoporosis, that does not mean everyone receives the same recommendation. At Forbes Longevity Center, we can look at your bone density together with your other health information and risk factors to determine what deserves attention and what steps are appropriate for you.
See What Your Bones Can Tell Us at Forbes Longevity Center
You do not have to wait for a fracture to discover that your bones have been changing.
A DEXA scan for bone density can give us information that cannot be determined simply by looking at you or asking how you feel. And when we combine that information with the other testing available at Forbes Longevity Center, we can gain a more complete understanding of your health.
Our comprehensive evaluation can include DEXA bone density and body composition, cardiovascular and fitness assessments, advanced laboratory testing, nutritional evaluation, and other testing selected according to your individual needs.
If you are concerned about bone loss, have risk factors for osteoporosis, or simply want a clearer picture of your health, contact Forbes Longevity Center in St. Petersburg. We can determine whether DEXA bone density testing is appropriate for you and help you understand what the results mean in the context of your overall health.
