FAQ
The Bone Resorption Assessment from Genova Diagnostic Laboratory can improve the quality of life for women and men.
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This test:
- Identifies elevated levels of bone loss before excessive damage has
occurred.
- Enables regular testing of women for resorption rates, allowing treatment
intervention at its most effective-before bone loss has occurred.
- Monitors the effectiveness of calcium supplementation to slow bone loss and rebuild bone.
Why healthy, pre-menopausal women should be concerned about osteoporosis
Nearly 50% of American women in their 30s and 40s are at risk for osteoporosis. Identifying your risk factors and current levels of bone loss can reduce the effects of this damaging disease.
What is osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a "brittle bone" disease, occurring when excessive bone loss leads to gradual bone weakening. It is a silent disease which can go undetected for years-until the damage is severe enough to cause a fracture. A broken hip or wrist often is the first symptom of osteoporosis.
Have you ever observed the gradual loss in height and stooped posture of an elderly relative or friend? That's a typical sign of osteoporosis. Some bones, like the vertebrae in the spine, contain spongy bone tissue and are very susceptible to thinning. Weakened vertebrae can crack and compress from even simple activities like bending to tie a shoelace. Eventually, these types of compression fractures lead to spinal deformities and loss of height.
Who's at risk for osteoporosis?
Many more women than men get osteoporosis. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, nearly 50% of healthy American women in their 30s and 40s may be at risk for increased bone loss. One third of American women aged 50 and older are likely to suffer from spinal fractures. In 2000, osteoporosis will cause 500,000 hip fractures each year.
How do bones change?
Your skeleton is living tissue, composed of cells embedded in a mineral matrix. Fresh bone is continually created to replace worn segments. In fact, your body's bones are completely replaced every twelve years.
From childhood into your early 20s, your bones continue to grow because new bone formation outweighs bone loss. By your late 20s, your bones are as strong and thick as they will ever be. After age 35, bone building can no longer keep up with bone removal, and bone mass begins to decrease. No one understands why gradual bone loss occurs with aging. It is clear, however, that a dramatic increase in bone loss occurs during menopause.
What causes osteoporosis?
Many factors contribute to bone loss. Small or petite women and women with relatives who have osteoporosis are at greater risk for developing the disease. Medical factors include menstrual irregularities, early menopause, certain diseases, stress and some medications.
Lifestyle factors include lack of exercise, cigarette smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and crash dieting, or deficiencies in nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, trace minerals, B vitamins and vitamin D. A diet low in fiber and high in sugar or phosphates (as found in soft drinks) has also been linked to osteoporosis.
How do you test for osteoporosis? There are several tests for bone loss. One uses x-rays to assess bone mass. Another-a bone biopsy-requires an invasive surgical procedure. However, these only detect bone loss after it has occurred.
Great Smokies' Bone Resorption Assessment, on the other hand, can measure bone loss before it becomes a problem. Using early warning indicators, this test:
- Reveals your current rate of bone loss.
- Determines whether you are at high risk for future bone loss and fractures.
- Monitors effectiveness of preventative treatment.
The Bone Resorption Assessment is safe, simple, and non-invasive. Your health care professional will give you a test kit, and you will send a urine sample to Great Smokies, where it will be measured for the rate of current bone loss. The results will be sent to your health care professional, who will develop a plan to slow bone loss and rebuild bone. With early testing and treatment, osteoporosis can be beaten!
How do you treat osteoporosis?
Depending on your risk level and amount of bone loss, there are several treatments you and your health care professional can discuss.
1. The proper diet plays a major role. You should eat foods rich in calcium, magnesium and other minerals, and take a vitamin/mineral supplement if necessary. You should also restrict your consumption of carbonated soft drinks, caffeine, sugar and salt to reduce calcium excretion.
2. Weight-bearing exercise also impacts bone loss. We can help you develop an exercise plan and recommend supplements to maintain and restore healthy bones.
3. Estrogen replacement therapy slows bone loss and reduces osteoporotic fractures. However, it can increase the risk of certain forms of cancer. Progesterone therapy can offset much of this risk and appears to increase bone mass by itself. Even testosterone therapy may be utilized to improve bone health.
Do you have a high risk for developing osteoporosis?
- Are you female?
- Are you over 50 years old?
- Do you have fair skin and blond hair?
- Are you thin or small-boned?
- Do you have a near relative (mother or sister) with osteoporosis?
- Are you physically inactive?
- Do you smoke now or have you smoked in the past?
- Do you have a history of alcohol consumption?
- Do you drink milk rarely or eat dairy products infrequently?
- Do you eat fish, poultry or beef at most meals?
- Do you drink coffee, tea or carbonated soft drinks daily?
- Do you have a history of hip, spine or wrist fractures?
- Do you have a history of early menopause (natural or surgically induced)?
- Have you missed menses longer than four months?
- Do you use thyroid medication?
- Do you often have heartburn or indigestion?
- Are you post menopausal and not receiving estrogen replacement therapy?
Each question relates to bone loss. The more yes responses, the more important it is for you to seek assistance. If you answered yes to two or more questions, take our free health test. Included with your free test is a free 30 minute consultation that enables you to talk with one of our health care specialists to determine if the Bone Resorption test could help you in treating your health problem.
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