Ultrasounds, which are safe and cheap, measure only at the heel bones. CT scans use too much radiation for screening but are good for determining the consequences of osteoporosis, like compression factors. Ultrasound and CT scans aren't well correlated with your risk of fracture, while DEXA results are. We suggest one for all women and many men if they're losing height.
If you are tested for bone mass, you probably will have a painless and simple procedure called bone densitometry. The most accurate test is dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). DXA uses low doses of radiation to measure bone density. This test is used when a diagnosis of osteoporosis is uncertain, or when the need for or results of treatment must be assessed accurately. Over time, other tests such as bone ultrasound will also become more available. No test currently is recommended for screening all post-menopausal women.
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