BMD at King City Imaging
King City Imaging is pleased to offer walk-in BMD testing, Monday to Friday, between the hours of 9:00 am and 4:30 pm. Requisitions from all Ontario licensed physicians are accepted.
Bone mineral density (BMD) test
BMD test measures how much calcium and other minerals are packed in your bones. The more densely they are packed, the less the risk for osteoporosis or bone loss. The test helps predict the risk of bone fractures. Osteoporosis affects more than 2 million Canadians. While 1 in 4 women have a lifetime risk of developing osteoporosis, the risk is 1 in 8 for men. Osteoporosis becomes apparent when a bone is fractured from what would generally be considered a minor fall. The bones that are commonly involved include the wrist, hip and spine.
How do we perform this Test
We perform a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan.
Patient lies on a soft table mattress. The scanner passes over the lower spine and hip. In most cases, you do not need to undress.
How to Prepare for the Test
- If you are or could be pregnant, tell your provider before this test is done.
- DO NOT take calcium supplements 24 hours before the test.
- You should remove all metal items from your body, such as jewelry and buckles.
How the Test will Feel
The scan is painless. You need to remain still during the test.
BMD Results:
The results of your test are usually reported as a T-score and Z-score:
T-score compares your bone density with that of a healthy young woman.
Z-score compares your bone density with that of other people of your age, sex, and race.
With either score, a negative number means you have thinner bones than the comparison group. The more negative the number, the higher your risk for a bone fracture.
A T-score is within the normal range if it is -1.0 or above.
If your T-score is:
- From -1 to -2.5, you may have bone loss (osteopenia)
- Below -2.5, you likely have osteoporosis
Who Should Get A BMD Test?
- All women and men 65 years or older
- Postmenopausal women and men 50 – 64 with risk factors for fracture including:
- Fragility fracture after age 40
- Vertebral fracture or low bone mass identified on x-ray
- Parental hip fracture
- High alcohol intake
- Current smoking
- Low body weight, i.e. less than 132 lbs or 60 kg
- Weight loss since age 25 greater than 10%
- High risk medication use: prolonged glucocorticoid use, aromatase inhibitors for breast cancer, androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Other disorders that may contribute to bone loss
- Younger men or women (under 50) with a disease or condition associated with low bone mass or bone loss:
- Fragility fractures
- High-risk medication use (steroid use, aromatase inhibitors, androgen deprivation therapy)
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Other chronic inflammatory conditions
- Cushing’s disease
- Malabsorption syndrome
- Uncontrolled hyperthyroidism
- Primary hyperparathyroidism
- Hypogonadism; Early menopause (< 45)
- Other disorders associated with rapid bone loss/fractures
