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Scans, tests and results
If your doctor thinks you may be affected by osteoporosis they can refer you for a range of scans and tests, to help them find out if your bones have lost strength.
There’s no simple way to look inside your bones, but a combination of different tests are used to build up a picture of your bone health, and risk of breaking a bone.
Your doctor may refer you for tests if:
- you’ve broken a bone easily
- you have symptoms for spinal fractures
- you have risk factors for osteoporosis and broken bones
- they need to reassess your bone health and risk of breaking a bone, such as at a treatment review
Fracture risk assessments and bone density scans (also known as DXA or DEXA) are most commonly used to find out if you have osteoporosis, your chance of breaking a bone and if you need an osteoporosis medicine.
Other types of scans and tests may sometimes help you and your healthcare professional understand your diagnosis. This includes X-rays, bone marker tests and REMS.
Learn more in our video below.
