When is bone density highest

If you do take medication to treat osteoporosis, your doctor can advise you concerning the need for future BMD tests to check your progress.

The U. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that all women age 65 and older should have a bone density test. Postmenopausal women who are younger than age 65 and at increased risk of osteoporosis — as determined by a formal clinical risk assessment tool — should also have a BMD test. Due to a lack of available evidence, the Task Force did not make recommendations regarding osteoporosis screening in men.

This publication contains information about medications used to treat the health condition discussed here. When this publication was developed, we included the most up-to-date accurate information available. Occasionally, new information on medication is released. Would you like to order publications on bone disorders to be mailed to you?

Visit our online order form. What is a bone density test? What does the test do? The T-score World Health Organization definitions based on bone density levels Low bone mass versus osteoporosis Who should get a bone density test? For your information Peripheral bone density tests measure bone density in the lower arm, wrist, finger or heel.

The T-score Most commonly, your BMD test results are compared to the bone mineral density of a healthy young adult, and you are given a T-score. Low bone mass Bone density is between 1 and 2. Additionally, mushrooms, eggs and fortified foods, such as milk and cereals, are good sources of vitamin D.

Sunlight also contributes to the body's production of vitamin D. If you're worried about getting enough vitamin D, ask your doctor about supplements. If you're concerned about your bone health or your risk factors for osteoporosis, including a recent bone fracture, consult your doctor. He or she might recommend a bone density test.

The results will help your doctor gauge your bone density and determine your rate of bone loss. By evaluating this information and your risk factors, your doctor can assess whether you might be a candidate for medication to help slow bone loss. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Sign up for free, and stay up-to-date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID, plus expert advice on managing your health.

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This content does not have an Arabic version. See more conditions. It has been suggested that genetic factors those you were born with and cannot change, such as gender and race may account for up to 75 percent of bone mass, and environmental factors such as diet and exercise habits account for the remaining 25 percent. Peak bone mass tends to be higher in men than in women. Before puberty, boys and girls acquire bone mass at similar rates.

After puberty, however, men tend to acquire greater bone mass than women. For reasons still not known, African American females tend to achieve higher peak bone mass than white females. These differences in bone density are seen even during childhood and adolescence. Hormonal factors. The hormone estrogen has an effect on peak bone mass. For example, women who had their first menstrual cycle at an early age and those who use oral contraceptives, which contain estrogen, often have high bone mineral density.

In contrast, young women whose menstrual periods stop because of extremely low body weight or excessive exercise, for example, may lose significant amounts of bone density, which may not be recovered even after their periods return. Calcium is an essential nutrient for bone health. Calcium deficiencies in young people can account for a significant difference in peak bone mass and can increase the risk for hip fracture later in life.

Surveys indicate that teenage girls in the United States are less likely than teenage boys to get enough calcium. Physical activity.