Scans, tests and results

If your doctor thinks you may be affected by osteoporosis they can refer you for a range of scans and tests, to help them find out if your bones have lost strength.

There’s no simple way to look inside your bones, but a combination of different tests are used to build up a picture of your bone health, and risk of breaking a bone.

Your doctor may refer you for tests if:

• you’ve broken a bone easily
• you have symptoms for spinal fractures
• you have risk factors for osteoporosis and broken bones
• they need to reassess your bone health and risk of breaking a bone, such as at a treatment review

Tests and what they can tell your doctor

• X-ray - If you've had spinal fractures
• Blood test - If another medical condition is causing your symptoms
• MRI scan - If another medical condition is causing your symptoms
• Bone density scan - How much bone tissue you have (your bone density)
• Fracture risk assessment - Your risk of breaking a bone
• Ultrasound scan - May help you to understand your bone strength 
• Radioisotope - Whether your broken bones are caused by other medical conditions
• CT scan - How much bone tissue you have (your bone density)
• Bone markers - whether your osteoporosis medication is working
• Bone biopsy - If there have been any changes inside your bones, although this is rarely used to investigate osteoporosis as it's not a simple procedure

Be reassured that you don’t need all these investigations, only the ones that help in your situation.

Learn more in our video below.

Read next:

• Causes of osteoporosis and broken bones
• Symptoms and effects
• Osteoporosis in children