What is Bone Mass Measurement used for?
Low Bone Mass Versus Osteoporosis The information provided by a BMD test can help your doctor decide which prevention or treatment options are right for you. If you have low bone mass that is not low enough to be diagnosed as osteoporosis, this is sometimes referred to as osteopenia. Low bone mass can be caused by many factors such as: • heredity • the development of less-than-optimal peak bone mass in your youth • a medical condition or medication to treat such a condition that negatively affects bone • abnormally accelerated bone loss. Although not everyone who has low bone mass will develop osteoporosis, everyone with low bone mass is at higher risk for the disease and the resulting fractures. As a person with low bone mass, you can take steps to help slow down your bone loss and prevent osteoporosis in your future. Your doctor will want you to develop—or keep—healthy habits such as eating foods rich in calcium and vitamin D and doing weight-bearing exercise such as walking, jogging
