Decreased bone density, also known as osteopenia or osteoporosis, occurs when the struts and plates that make up bone tissue become thinner and the spaces between them grow wider. This causes the overall density of bones to decrease, making them more porous, fragile and at risk for fractures.
Some key points about decreased bone density:
- It often develops slowly and without symptoms over many years. Many people don't know they have decreased bone density until a minor fall or sudden impact causes a broken bone.
- Risk factors include getting older, family history, smoking, low calcium intake, lack of exercise, small/thin body frame, and certain medications like prednisone or aromatase inhibitors. Post-menopausal women are at especially high risk due to reduced estrogen.
- Decreased bone density can be detected via a bone mineral density (BMD) test, such as a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan. This painless scan compares the density of your bones to that of a healthy 30-year-old adult.
- If decreased bone density is caught early, certain lifestyle changes and medications may help slow or stop bone loss to some degree. Getting enough calcium and vitamin D, doing weight-bearing and resistance exercises, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol are some helpful tips.
- In more serious cases, medications like bisphosphonates, estrogen therapy, raloxifene and calcitonin may be prescribed under a doctor's supervision. These work by reducing bone breakdown or increasing bone formation.
The hormone and bone density experts at
Hormone Harmony Clinic can help assess your risk, order appropriate BMD tests, interpret your results and create a customized bone health plan if needed. With their holistic approach, advanced testing methods and safe hormone therapies, they can get to the root hormonal causes of osteopenia/osteoporosis and find solutions tailored just for you. Contact them today for a consultation.