Osteoporosis is diagnosed by which test?

Osteoporosis is diagnosed by which test?

• A. X-ray
• B. Blood test
• C. BMD (bone mineral density) test
• D. MRI

Answer: (C)

Bone density measurement is what doctors rely on to diagnose osteoporosis. The best test is a bone mineral density assessment, typically done with a DEXA scan, which provides a precise density value and a T-score that classifies bone health as normal, osteopenic, or osteoporotic. This measurement detects low bone mass before fractures occur, guiding treatment decisions. X-rays can reveal fractures or structural changes but don’t quantify density reliably, so they’re not used to diagnose osteoporosis. Blood tests can help rule out other causes of bone loss but don’t diagnose osteoporosis on their own. MRI isn’t used for routine osteoporosis diagnosis because it doesn’t measure bone density. The BMD test is the best choice because it directly measures bone density and supports the diagnostic criteria.

Bone density measurement is what doctors rely on to diagnose osteoporosis. The best test is a bone mineral density assessment, typically done with a DEXA scan, which provides a precise density value and a T-score that classifies bone health as normal, osteopenic, or osteoporotic. This measurement detects low bone mass before fractures occur, guiding treatment decisions. X-rays can reveal fractures or structural changes but don’t quantify density reliably, so they’re not used to diagnose osteoporosis. Blood tests can help rule out other causes of bone loss but don’t diagnose osteoporosis on their own. MRI isn’t used for routine osteoporosis diagnosis because it doesn’t measure bone density. The BMD test is the best choice because it directly measures bone density and supports the diagnostic criteria.