Osteoporosis
What the test generally measures, and what to ask about it.
Longetic keeps every lab and record you’ve had organized and easy to find, so your own Osteoporosis values sit together on one chart and you walk into your next appointment prepared.
What is Osteoporosis?
A disease that makes bones weak and more likely to fracture.
Osteoporosis is a disease in which your bones become weak and are likely to fracture (break). The disease can develop when your bone mineral density and bone mass decrease. It can also happen if the structure and strength of your bones change. Osteoporosis is called a "silent" disease because it doesn't usually cause symptoms. You may not even know you have the disease until you break a bone. This could happen with any bone, but it's most common in the bones of your hip, vertebrae in the spine, and wrist. Your bones are made of living tissue. To keep them strong, your body breaks down old bone and replaces it with new bone. Osteoporosis develops when more bone is broken down than replaced.
Tests often checked alongside this
How this can show up in how you look and feel
- Usually no symptoms until a bone actually fractures — often called a "silent" disease
- A noticeable loss of height over time
- A stooped posture, which can signal spinal compression fractures
What can affect this marker
- Age and hormonal changes
- Calcium and vitamin D intake
- Physical activity levels
- Family history and certain medications
What to track over time
- Bone density scan results over time
- Height changes or new fractures
- Diet and exercise habits
- Related bloodwork like vitamin D
What to ask your doctor
- Do I need a bone density scan?
- Am I getting enough calcium?
- Which medications affect bone health?
- How often should I be rescanned?
This glossary entry is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Read our Terms of Use.
References
About our sources
Official sources
Government health agencies, national institutes, and intergovernmental bodies whose guidelines carry regulatory or policy weight.
Clinical / professional
Medical societies, specialty colleges, and professional associations whose consensus statements reflect clinical practice standards.
Peer-reviewed research
Original research articles and systematic reviews published in indexed journals and verified through PubMed or DOI.