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
Learn more in our video, How is osteoporosis diagnosed?
| Test | What it can tell your doctor |
| X-ray | If you've had any 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 |
| Radioisotope bone scan | 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.
Get support from a Specialist Nurse
Contact our free Helpline for tailored information about osteoporosis and bone health: