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DXADXA (dual energy x-ray absorptiometry) is the current gold standard for measuring bone density. DXA measures bone density of the lower spine, the hip and, in some cases, the wrist. This specialized x-ray technique measures bone mass, and then uses a computer program to compare a person’s bone density to that of a young, healthy individual of the same sex. This comparison generates a T score. The T score represents the number of standard deviations you are above (positive T score) or below (negative T score) the healthy young adult. AdvantagesDXA testing has several advantages. It is:
DXA is less helpful when a person has arthritis in the hips or spine, or when a person has had hip or back surgery. LimitationsIn 1994, the World Health Organization developed guidelines for diagnosing osteoporosis based on DXA results. These guidelines are used by many facilities that perform DXA testing in Canada. According to these guidelines, bone density can be qualified as:
While these classifications are helpful, they only tell us about the quantity of the bone, not the quality of bone. Poor bone quality is the reason why many women with normal T scores have fractures; and good bone quality explains why there are people with very low T scores in the osteoporotic range, who do not have fractures. Several tools have been developed to take into account bone quality and bone quantity when evaluating a patient’s What to ExpectWhen you go for your DXA test, you will be asked to lie down on a table while your spine, a hip, or both your spine and hip, are scanned. The test lasts about 20 minutes. It is non-invasive and causes no pain or discomfort. At Women's College HospitalDXA testing is available at Women's College Hospital, as part of the Osteoporosis Program’s one-stop patient-centred approach.
Diagnosis - Anita Colquhoun, Bone Densitometry DXA testing is covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). A doctor's referral is needed for this test.
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