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 Bone Density Testing
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