Bone loss is usually silent until fracture. DEXA is one of the few tools that identifies risk early enough to act. This guide explains who should test, how often to recheck, and how to interpret results in practical prevention terms.[4]
Who benefits most from DEXA screening
Postmenopausal women, older adults, and people with risk factors such as long-term steroid use, low body weight, or prior fragility fractures usually benefit from earlier evaluation.
Men are often under-screened despite meaningful fracture risk at older ages.
How to read the report
T-scores and Z-scores provide context for density status relative to reference populations. Clinical decisions should incorporate age, history, and secondary risk contributors.
A single scan is baseline; trend over time determines progression and treatment impact.
What to do after testing
Strength training, protein adequacy, fall-risk reduction, and correction of calcium/vitamin D gaps are foundational.
Higher-risk profiles may require medication discussion based on density, fracture history, and risk calculators.