Saint Barnabas Breast and Women's
Imaging Center at Bedminster

Osteoporosis Screening/Follow-up Services


When should I have a Dexa Scan?

Osteoporosis Detection Recommendations
Often known as a silent disease, osteoporosis can go undetected until a broken bone occurs. According to the 2004 U.S. Surgeon General's Report on Bone Health and Osteoporosis, 1.5 million older people in this country suffer fractures due to low bone density. Early detection and treatment are invaluable in helping those with osteoporosis to stay as active as possible.

Bone density testing is a safe, quick, non-invasive and completely painless procedure which detects osteoporosis at its earliest stages, when treatment is most effective. The current recommendation is for women to be screened by having a bone density test around the age of menopause; a repeat test every two years on the same machine is usually recommended.

Osteoporosis Detection Services

The Saint Barnabas Breast and Women's Imaging Center at Bedminster is equipped with a state-of-the-art DEXA (Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) machine, the most sophisticated bone imaging technology available. This machine accurately measures bone mass and assesses an individual's risk for developing osteoporosis and its subsequent fractures. Comprehensive reports, prepared by ISCD-certified physicians, who are clinical experts in the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis, are provided to both patient and referring physicians.

Are You at Risk? (FOR ADULTS OVER AGE 20)

Complete the following questionnaire to find out if you are at risk for osteoporosis.

*1. Are you taking Prednisone, Decadron or other cortisone-type pills? Yes No
*2.  Have you had any of the following?
    * Removal or bypass of part of your stomach or upper intestines?		 Yes No
* Malabsorption (difficulty absorbing nutrients from your intestinal tract due to Celiac Disease, Crohn’s or other intestinal disorder)? Yes No
* Rheumatoid Arthritis? Yes No
* Taking large doses of thyroid medication for thyroid cancer? Yes No
* High calcium levels in the blood or parathyroid hormone problems? Yes No
* An eating disorder? Yes No
* Taking medications for seizures? Yes No
* A history of alcoholism? Yes No
* Kidney stones? Yes No
* Chronic liver problems? Yes No
* Emphysema? Yes No
* Have a low testosterone level if you are a man? Yes No
* Have missed menstrual periods for 12 or more months (except during pregnancy or after menopause) if you are a woman? Yes No
* Taking medication to lower hormone levels to treat breast or prostate cancer? Yes No
* Have a cancer of the bone marrow (leukemia or multiple myeloma)? Yes No

EXTRA QUESTIONS FOR WOMEN AFTER MENOPAUSE AND MEN OVER AGE 50:
* 1. Has a parent had a hip or spine fracture? Yes No
* 2. Do you weigh less than 127 lbs.? Yes No
* 3. Are you age 65 or older (women); or 70 or older (men)? Yes No
* 4. Have you broken a bone (other than toes, fingers or face) after age 50? Yes No
* 5. Do you smoke cigarettes? Yes No
* 6.  Do you consume (on average) more that 2 alcoholic beverages per day? Yes No
* 7. Did you go through menopause or have your ovaries removed before age 40? Yes No
 8.  Are you Caucasian or Asian? Yes No
 9.  Is your diet low in sources of calcium, such as dairy products?
            (and you are not taking calcium supplements)? 		 Yes No
 10.  Do you exercise less than 30 minutes, 3 times a week? Yes No

Additional osteoporosis treatment and follow-up services are available at The Saint Barnabas Osteoporosis Center, in Livingston including: evaluation and treatment for osteoporosis, and education about lifestyle, nutrition and exercise.

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Saint Barnabas
Breast and Women's
Imaging Center at Bedminister
1 Robertson Drive, Suite 16
Bedminster, New Jersey 07921
PHONE: (908) 234-0205