Bone Mineral Density Test
How a Bone Mineral Density Test Helps Identify Bone Loss
Bone markers are blood and urine tests that detect bone loss.
Primary osteoporosis is associated with the normal loss of estrogen following the menopause as well as age. However, there are a number of medical conditions and medications that can cause more rapid bone loss — the most common conditions are hyperparathyroidism, hyperthyroidism, vitamin D deficiency and celiac disease, and the most common medications are steroids.

What to Expect from a Bone Mineral Density Test
Standard Blood Panel
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- Chemistry levels (Calcium, renal function, phosphorus, and magnesium)
- Liver function tests
- Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level
- Serum 25(OH)D level
- Parathyroid hormone (PTH)
- Total testosterone and gonadotropin levels in younger men
Blood Tests for Certain Situations
- Serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP), serum immunofixation, serum free light chains
- Tissue transglutaminase antibodies
- Iron and ferritin levels
- Homocysteine
- Tryptase
- Bone-specific Alkaline Phosphatase
Urine tests
- 24-hour urinary calcium