Get a Bone Density Test

• If you are age 65 or older, it’s time to get a test to find out your bone strength. This is called a bone density test.
• If you are age 60-64, talk to your doctor about testing your bone strength.

A bone density test will tell you if you are at risk for osteoporosis. If you are at risk, your doctor may recommend getting a bone density test every 2 years.

To learn more about your risk for osteoporosis, Check Up on Your Bones with this free interactive tool.

What Happens During a Bone Density Test?
A bone density test does not hurt. It’s like an x-ray or scan of your body. It only takes about 15 minutes.

What is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis (oss-tee-oh-puh-ro-sis) is a disease of the bones. It means your bones are weak and more likely to break. Anyone can get osteoporosis, but it’s most common in older women. The older you are, the greater your risk of osteoporosis.

There are no signs or symptoms of osteoporosis. You might not know you have the disease until you break a bone. That is why it’s so important to get a bone density test.

Learn more about osteoporosis and bone health:

• Isabel's Story [PDF - 5 MB]
• Surgeon General's Report on Bone Health and Osteoporosis: What it Means to You [PDF - 1.2 MB]

Finding osteoporosis early means that you can treat it before it gets worse. Treating osteoporosis can help slow the rate of bone loss and make your bones less likely to break.

One out of every two (1 in 2) women and one in four (1 in 4) men over the age of 50 will break a bone in their lifetime because of osteoporosis.

People with osteoporosis most often break bones in the hip, spine, and wrist. A broken bone (called a fracture) can cause pain, disability, and make it hard to do daily activities without help.

What if I Have Weak Bones?
Depending on the results of your bone density test, the doctor may:

• Give you medicine to stop bone loss
• Tell you to exercise more to strengthen your bones
• Urge you to eat more calcium and vitamin D in your diet

It doesn’t matter how old you are, it's not too late to stop bone loss!

In the United States, 10 million people have osteoporosis. Find out if you are one of them.

Schedule a Bone Density Test
If you are 65 or older, call your doctor or health center to make an appointment for a bone density test. If you are age 60-64, talk to your doctor about testing your bone strength.

In the meantime, Check up on Your Bones with this interactive tool.

What About Cost?
Medicare will usually pay for a bone density test in women over age 65. Some men over age 65 may also be covered. You can still get a bone density test even if you don't have health insurance. Find a health center near you to learn more.

Get Enough Calcium and Vitamin D Each Day
Bones are made of calcium. Check this chart to see how much calcium you need each day. You can get calcium from:

• Low-fat or non-fat milk and yogurt
• Almonds
• Broccoli and greens
• Tofu
• Orange juice with added calcium
• Calcium pills

Vitamin D helps your body use calcium. Both vitamin D and calcium are needed for strong bones. Check this chart to see how much vitamin D you need each day. Your body makes vitamin D when you are out in the sun. You can also get vitamin D from:

• Salmon
• Milk and some yogurt (check the label)
• Vitamin D pills

Get Active
Physical activity can help slow down bone loss.

• Aim for 2 hours and 30 minutes a week. One way to do this is to be active for 30 minutes 5 times a week. Exercise for at least 10 minutes at a time.
• Do strengthening activities at least 2 days a week. These include lifting weights or using resistance bands (long rubber strips that stretch).
• If exercising for 30 minutes feels difficult, try to get moving for shorter 10-minute periods throughout the day.
• Be sure to talk with your doctor before starting an exercise program.

Check with your local senior center or community center. Many centers offer Tai Chi or weight training classes for older adults. Tai Chi (“tie chee”) is a Chinese mind-body exercise that involves moving the body slowly and gently. Or you can exercise at home with a friend or family member. Try these simple exercises for seniors.

Lower Your Risk of Falling
If you are worried about weak bones, learn how you can prevent falls.

Learn more about osteoporosis. Find out how you can lower your risk of falling.

What do you want to do today?

Make an appointment to get a bone density test at your local health center.

Add foods with calcium to your grocery list such as fat-free milk or yogurt.

Check up on Your Bones with this interactive tool.

Learn more about how you can prevent osteoporosis.

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