Osteoporosis
Patient Education

Patient Guide

Common Tests or Labs to Diagnose Osteoporosis

In addition to dietary modifications, patients with gout may need medication to help with flare-ups and pain.

It is important for patients with gout NOT to take aspirin or aspirin-based products, which are high in uric acid.

Please read the following osteoporosis patient education guide to common tests and labs.

Test	Why Test?	What Happens?	Normal Result
Dual X-Ray Absorptiometry (DEXA)	Scans and measures the density of the spine, hip and total body *Test of Choice	If clothing has no snaps, buttons or zippers, no change of clothing is needed. You will lie on a padded exam table while an instrument arm shifts above you, scanning the density of your hip and spine. You are not enclosed in the machine and leaning on a square cushion raises your legs.	Normal T score is -1.0 or above. -1 to -2.5 shows osteopenia: the start of bone loss.
Urinary N- Telopeptide Type I collagen (uNTX)	Tests for bone resorption (bone loss). Marker found in the urine	A urine sample is given from a second-morning void of at least 1 ml or a 24-hour urine collection. (volume must be recorded) The specimen must be refrigerated during storage for the laboratory .	Normal is <20 nmol/mM creatinine
Bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (bone ALP or BALP)	Evaluates new bone formation rate	A tourniquet (elastic band) is placed around the upper arm and the site for puncture is wiped with an alcohol swab. A needle with syringe is inserted into a vein (usually opposite side of elbow or back of hand) and blood is withdrawn for analysis.	Normal is 20 to 140 IU/L
Level of Vitamin D	Pinpoints any deficiency, which prevents calcium absorption despite amount of calcium consumed.	A tourniquet (elastic band) is placed around the upper arm and the site for puncture is wiped with an alcohol swab. A needle with syringe is inserted into a vein (usually opposite side of elbow or back of hand) and blood is withdrawn for analysis.	50-80 ng/ml