Female Bone Density Chart By Age:
Studies suggest that about 50 percent of women over the age of 50 will suffer a fracture related to bone loss. Even if you’re otherwise healthy, consulting a bone density chart and getting a baseline bone density scan can diagnose even the slightest beginnings of bone loss. Scan results are measured in T scores, which compare your bone density to that of a healthy, 30-year-old adult. If your bone density scan is normal, you don’t need another one for up to 10 years as long as your risk factors for osteoporosis don’t change.
The average boy has his fastest rate of growth in height between ages 13 and 14, and stops growing between ages 17 and 18. Peak bone mass occurs 9 to 12 months after the peak rate in height growth. These scores help diagnose secondary osteoporosis, which is osteoporosis due to a clinical disorder rather than aging ‘ the cause of primary page osteoporosis. Research in 2016 reports that a Z-score of less than -2.5 indicates the secondary type. However, a doctor may ask a person to refrain from taking calcium supplements 24’48 hours prior to the test. They may also ask the individual to avoid wearing metal jewelry or clothes with metal parts, such as buttons or buckles.
A second rare complication is delayed healing of the jawbone, called osteonecrosis of the jaw. This can occur after an invasive dental procedure, such as removing a tooth. Membership in BHOF will help build your practice, keep your team informed, here provide CME credits, and allow you access to key osteoporosis experts. For each of these, confirmation of the diagnosis requires an evaluation to be sure there is no other disease or condition that appears to be osteoporosis but is not.
Not surprisingly, we can also make choices that decrease peak bone mass, such as smoking, poor nutrition, inactivity, and excessive alcohol intake. Lifestyle changes that promote bone health can also be helpful in slowing the progression of the disease. However, talk to your doctor before starting an exercise program to make sure that you do not undertake physical activity that puts you at risk for breaking a bone. Osteoporosis is a bone disease that develops because of bone loss. The result is weak and brittle bones that are prone to fractures even from low-impact movements.
It also helps explain why osteoporosis is much more common in women than in men (who do not experience this acute loss of hormone in middle age). Men accumulate more skeletal mass than women do during growth, and their bone width and size is greater. Because women have smaller bones with a thinner cortex and smaller diameter, they are more vulnerable to developing osteoporosis. Although men have a higher peak bone mass, they also are at risk for osteoporosis, especially after age 70 when bone loss and fracture risk increase significantly.
Your insurance provider might be able to tell you where the test is available. Tests can often be done in radiology departments in hospitals and private radiology clinics. In some cases, medical practices are equipped for this type of test. There are certain other populations that are at a higher risk.
Join our community to learn more about osteoporosis, or connect with others near you who are suffering from the disease. If your loved one’s activities are more limited now due to osteoporosis, help her find new ways to socialize and enjoy life. You can help a loved one stay strong and fracture-free with these strategies.
The term ‘premenopausal’ refers to women who are still having regular menstrual periods and have not yet reached menopause. While it is uncommon for premenopausal women to have osteoporosis, some young women have low bone density which increases their chance of getting osteoporosis later in life. Low bone mass that is not low enough to be osteoporosis is sometimes called osteopenia. Causes of low bone mass include family history, not developing good bone mass when you are young, and certain conditions or medicines. Not everyone who has low bone mass gets osteoporosis, but they are at higher risk for getting it. Bone density testing, such as a DEXA scan, is critical for diagnosing the condition, assessing fracture risk, and monitoring treatment effectiveness.
Otherwise, it’s like getting on a scale and trying to determine one or two pound differences on different scales. There are some steps you can take to keep your bones strong and healthy. The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health. Explore Mayo Clinic studies testing new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition. Similar to bisphosphonates, denosumab has the same rare complication of causing breaks or cracks in the middle of the thighbone and osteonecrosis of the jaw.
During childhood and adolescence, bone grows faster than it breaks down, and bone density and strength increase over time. In adulthood, this process becomes more balanced, resulting in stable bone density. But in older age, the replacement of bone cells slows down, resulting in a loss of bone density over time. As with any medical test, bone density should be repeated when the results might influence treatment plans. It is often repeated 1-2 years after starting or changing osteoporosis medication to evaluate response to treatment.
Since it’s hard to get enough vitamin D from food alone, most people need to take a vitamin D supplement. Unlike calcium, you can take it with or without food, and all at one time. You don’t need to take it at the same time as a calcium supplement. While osteoporosis is most common in older people, it sometimes affects young people, including premenopausal women in their 20s, 30s and 40s.
For more information on bone health, visit the National Osteoporosis Foundation’s General Facts page. Up to the age of 25, more new bone is being made than osteoclasts can take away, which leads to an increase in bone density. From the age of 25 to age 50, the process is stable and bones are being broken down and built back up in equal amounts.
A low standard deviation means that the number is close to the average, and a high standard deviation means that it is further from the average. You do not need to undress, but zippers or buttons should be out of the way in the area that’s being scanned because they can interfere with the results. Although the test itself only takes about 5 minutes to complete, interpreting the results of the test takes specialized training. A radiologist skilled in reading DEXA scans will interpret your results and should present your doctor with a report. It’s also important to get your vision checked regularly (every year or two after age 65). Age-related eye diseases like cataracts and age-related macular degeneration can steal your sight, which in turn affects balance.
One study looked at the total number of osteoporosis cases in the United States and found that the group with the most total cases were men and women of non-Hispanic White descent. For the safety of its patients, staff and visitors, Mayo Clinic has strict masking policies in place. Anyone shown without a mask was reference recorded prior to COVID-19 or recorded in an area not designated for patient care, where social distancing and other safety protocols were followed. “That assessment determines what type of medication I would recommend,” says Dr. Abate. For people with darker skin tones, vitamin D is another important factor.
Although this is very easy for you, the technology of the scan and computer system is actually very sophisticated. It requires highly trained staff to do the test properly and a qualified person to interpret it correctly. A bone density scan can give you valuable information about the quality and strength of your bones. It can take measurements of minerals that contribute to your bone health and help your doctor or other healthcare professional guide you on possible lifestyle changes or treatments that can help. If you have menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes, your healthcare provider may prescribe estrogen therapy (ET) or estrogen with progesterone hormone therapy (HT). In addition to controlling your menopausal symptoms, these therapies can also help prevent bone loss.