Osteoporosis

Thin bones

There are no symptoms in the early stages of the disease.

Symptoms occurring late in the disease include:

• Bone pain or tenderness
• Fractures with little or no trauma
• Loss of height over time
• Low back pain due to fractures of the spinal bones
• Neck pain due to fractures of the spinal bones
• Stooped posture

Bone mineral density testing (specifically a densitometry or DEXA scan) measures how much bone you have. This test has become the gold standard for osteoporosis evaluation. For specific information on such testing, see bone density test.

A spine CT can show loss of bone mineral density. Quantitative computed tomography (QCT) can evaluate bone density. However, it is not as available and is more expensive than a DEXA scan.

In severe cases, a spine or hip x-ray may show fracture or collapse of the spinal bones. However, simple x-rays of bones are not very accurate in predicting whether someone is likely to have osteoporosis.

You may need other blood and urine tests if your osteoporosis is thought to be due to a medical condition, rather than simply the usual bone loss seen with older age.