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By Mayo Clinic staffBone density tests are easy, fast and painless. Virtually no preparation is needed. In fact, some simple versions of the bone density tests can be done at your local pharmacy or drugstore.
If you're having the test done at a medical center or hospital, be sure to tell your doctor beforehand if you've had recent oral contrast or nuclear medicine tests. These tests require an injection of radioactive tracers that might interfere with your bone density test.
- Bone mass measurement: What the numbers mean. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Bone/Bone_Health/bone_mass_measure.asp. Accessed Aug. 19, 2009.
- Screening for osteoporosis in postmenopausal women: Recommendations and rationale. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/3rduspstf/osteoporosis/osteorr.htm. Accessed Aug. 19, 2009.
- Raisz LG. Screening for osteoporosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 19, 2009.
- Hansen KE, et al. Osteoporosis. In: Duthie EH, et al. Practice of Geriatrics. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/155482233-3/0/1532/150.html?tocnode=53845866&fromURL=150.html. Accessed Aug. 19, 2009.
- Bone density scan. Radiological Society of North America. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=dexa&bhcp=1. Accessed Aug. 19, 2009.
- Fast facts on osteoporosis. National Osteoporosis Foundation. http://www.nof.org/osteoporosis/diseasefacts.htm. Accessed Aug. 19, 2009.
- Lane NE. Metabolic bone disease. In: Firestein GS, et al. Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/155482233-4/0/1807/695.html?tocnode=55733918&fromURL=695.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3285-4..10092-0_3381. Accessed Aug. 19, 2009.
- Bone mineral density (BMD) testing: What the numbers mean. National Osteoporosis Foundation. http://www.nof.org/osteoporosis/bmdtest.htm. Accessed Aug. 25, 2009.
