Osteoporosis Tests
What Are Osteoporosis Tests and How Can They Help You?
You would believe that your bones are some of the toughest structures in your system and this is mostly true. However, they can also become fragile with the passing of time. If bone mass density decreases too much, you might be diagnosed with osteoporosis.
In this context, osteoporosis tests use a blood sample to assess your bone mass density and other relevant biomarkers. Based on the results, you might be at risk for osteoporosis and your doctor can recommend treatment options to prevent complications such as fractures.
The health of your bones is a serious issue, so keep reading. You'll discover more about your skeletal system, osteoporosis, and its symptoms.
Substances Checked by Osteoporosis Labs
You might be happy to find out that an osteoporosis panel looks at multiple substances in your system. Checking more parameters is vital to produce an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. Here are some of these substances.
Calcium and Phosphorus
As you probably know already, having enough calcium in your system is paramount for bone health. If you have enough calcium, your bone density will remain within normal ranges. If you don't get enough calcium, your bones and teeth will become weaker. Testing serum calcium levels is a top priority when doing an osteoporosis panel. At the same time, checking your phosphorus levels is also important because this mineral is a good indicator of hypocalcemia or hypercalcemia.
If your calcium levels are out of normal ranges, your parathyroid hormones need to be checked too. These hormones can reveal important information on why your calcium levels are out of whack. The parathyroid hormone test is included in a standard osteoporosis panel, so you get a complete picture of your bone health.
Estradiol
Estradiol is a vital female sex hormone and an excellent predictor of bone health in men and women. Not having enough estradiol in your system can predispose you to bone diseases including osteoporosis. The osteoporosis panel checks your estradiol using an advanced method called LC/MS and this ensures accurate results.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D contributes to the health of your immune system, but it also plays a key role in bone health. Vitamin D can be metabolized by your body as a result of sun exposure. Unfortunately, most people don't get enough vitamin D in their system and this can have a negative impact on bone health. On the other hand, you can always find affordable vitamin D supplements and get your daily dosage without relying on too much sun exposure.
Creatinine and GFR
Creatinine is a substance made by your body as a result of working your muscles. Under normal conditions, creatinine is easily filtered out by your kidneys and excreted through urine. However, in some cases, renal issues can prevent proper creatinine excretion. Problems with your kidneys can lead to bone diseases.
GFR stands for glomerular filtration rate. It's a powerful indicator of how well your kidneys work. If your GFR is not within normal ranges, your bones and the skeletal system might be affected too.
Alkaline Phosphatase
Alkaline phosphatase is a biomarker used to diagnose certain types of bone disorders. It's a substance routinely checked as part of a Comprehensive Metabolic Panel test. If your alkaline phosphatase levels are out of normal range, this could be a sign of osteoporosis, osteomalacia, Paget's disease, metastatic bone disease and others.
Symptoms of Osteoporosis
Luckily, osteoporosis is not a silent killer. It shows a lot of symptoms and if you encounter them, you should do an osteoporosis blood test as soon as possible. For example, loss of height can be attributed to osteoporosis. This cannot be seen overnight, but if you notice that you're almost one inch shorter than you used to be, this might be caused by a degradation of your spine and vertebrae.
Another common symptom of osteoporosis consists of back pain. This can happen in the lower, middle, or upper back, depending on where your vertebrae are weaker. Some people experience a sudden fracture or collapsed vertebra in the painful area of the body. Others might experience a lack of mobility and a limited range of motion.
A sloped posture is also a sign of osteoporosis. If you spend a lot of time in front of your computer, you're at a higher risk of developing osteoporosis and other spine-related problems.
These are popular symptoms, but there are other warning signs that you need to know about. For example, having brittle fingernails, receding gums and weak grip strength are all early symptoms of osteoporosis or other diseases. Make sure that you don't ignore these symptoms because they can cause serious health complications.
Complications of Osteoporosis
One of the worst things that can happen to a person with osteoporosis consists of bone fractures. They usually happen in the hip area, but people can develop fractures in the forearms, vertebrae and lower back also. Fractures and broken bones are painful and difficult to heal, especially in seniors.
In most cases, a fracture happens as a result of a slip-and-fall accident. Osteoporosis makes bones very fragile and a simple fall can break them. At the same time, fractures can happen even without falling in some people. Highly advanced osteoporosis can make bones so fragile that a simple sudden twist can cause a fracture.
Fortunately, you can prevent such unpleasant events by testing yourself regularly and following your doctor's advice. A healthier diet and basic resistance exercises can strengthen your bones, so you are less susceptible to fractures.
Order Your Osteoporosis Lab Test Today!
Your bones are some of the most crucial elements in the body and it's paramount that you take diligent care of them. Getting enough calcium and routinely testing your bone mass density is key to preventing fractures and serious bone diseases.
Testing your bone density has never been easier. Just visit DiscountedLabs.com, order an osteoporosis panel and wait for the results. They usually get back in just a few business days!
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References:
Osteoporosis - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic
Osteoporosis Complications: Symptoms, Causes, and Risks