I have a questions about diagnostic tests. Can anybody help me please?
If a relative or family member within your family had symptoms which led to osteoporosis, what types of diagnostic tests might be used to detect if you might be at risk for the disease that your relative or family member might have?
I believe it is called a bone density scan.
They perform a bone density test – a minor procedure, i.e., an x-ray of a bone in your upper thigh or hip. If you suspect you’re at risk for this and are young, suggest you start taking calcium if you know your diet isn’t sufficient to provide what is needed. If you are older and your relative was diagnosed with this at about your age (or her/his symptoms started showing up fairly early), do go ahead and have the x-ray performed.
there is not a test to detect if are at at GENETIC risk for osteoporosis
having said that there are multiple risk factors like smoking, using steroids, using thryoid hormones, etc that increase your chances of getting osteoporosis
DEXA or bone density scan is done to check if u have osteoporosis BUT not to find out if u have risk. Having said that, a bone scan can tell you if u have osteopenia which is the precursor for osteoporosis