Osteoporosis & Bone Health in Troy, MI

What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones lose strength and become more likely to break. Both the amount of bone and its internal structure can change. A fall from standing height—or sometimes a minor strain—may cause a fracture, especially in the hip, spine, or wrist.

It often develops without symptoms. Some people first learn they have osteoporosis after a broken bone. Spinal fractures may cause back pain, loss of height, or a more rounded posture. Osteoporosis affects both women and men.[1]

Who should be screened?

• Women age 65 and older: the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening.
• Postmenopausal women younger than 65: screening is recommended when risk factors and a clinical risk assessment show increased fracture risk.[2]
• Men age 70 and older, and men ages 50–69 with risk factors: the Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation recommends bone density testing.[3]

The USPSTF finds insufficient evidence to recommend for or against routine screening in men. This differs from specialty guidance and does not mean men should never be tested.[2]

Risk factors for osteoporosis

• Increasing age, menopause—especially early menopause—or low sex-hormone levels.
• A previous fracture after a minor injury, or a parent who fractured a hip.
• Low body weight, poor nutrition, or inadequate calcium and vitamin D.
• Smoking, heavy alcohol use, inactivity, or prolonged immobility.
• Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, overactive thyroid, or disorders that reduce nutrient absorption.
• Medicines such as long-term oral glucocorticoids (for example, prednisone) and some breast or prostate cancer treatments.

Frequent falls increase the chance of a fracture, even when bone density is not in the osteoporosis range. Bring your medication and supplement list to your visit; do not stop prescribed medicines on your own.[1][9]

How do we test for it?

A DXA scan measures bone density

A DXA scan, sometimes written DEXA, is the standard bone density test. It usually measures the hip and lower spine. You lie on a table while a scanner passes above you. The test is painless, noninvasive, and uses a very small dose of X-rays.[4]

Your health history helps explain the result

We review prior fractures, height loss, falls, family history, medical conditions, and medicines. Depending on your situation, blood tests may check vitamin D, calcium, kidney function, or thyroid function and look for other causes of bone loss. Blood tests alone do not diagnose osteoporosis.

Height loss, new back pain, or other risk factors may prompt spine imaging to look for compression fractures. A heel screening test does not replace a central DXA scan for diagnosis.[5][3]

Interpretation of test results

A T-score compares your bone density with that of a healthy young adult. These categories generally apply to postmenopausal women and men age 50 and older.

Before menopause and in men younger than 50, a Z-score is usually preferred. It compares bone density with people of a similar age. A Z-score of −2.0 or lower means bone density is below the expected range for age; it does not establish osteoporosis by itself.[6]

Fracture risk matters beyond the T-score

A low-trauma hip or spinal fracture can establish osteoporosis even if the T-score is above −2.5. FRAX® estimates the 10-year risk of a hip fracture and of a major osteoporotic fracture: hip, clinical spine, forearm, or shoulder.[3][7]

In the United States, a hip-fracture risk of 3% or more, or a major-fracture risk of 20% or more, commonly supports considering medication in postmenopausal women and men age 50 or older with osteopenia. These are treatment considerations, not automatic screening cutoffs. Your clinician also considers falls, other illnesses, and your preferences.[14]

Repeat testing is individualized. It is often performed 1–2 years after starting or changing treatment; people at lower risk may wait longer. When practical, repeat scans at the same facility to make comparison easier.[6][14]

Natural approaches and care beyond medication

Daily habits support bone and muscle health and help prevent falls. The goal is to reduce fractures and preserve independence.

1. Get calcium from food first

Choose foods such as milk, yogurt, calcium-fortified plant drinks, calcium-set tofu, or canned fish with edible bones. Read labels to estimate your intake.

Use supplements only to fill a dietary gap when appropriate. More calcium is not necessarily better. Ask for an individualized plan if you have kidney disease, kidney stones, or high blood calcium.[8]

2. Meet your vitamin D needs

Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium. General adult intake goals are 600 IU daily through age 70 and 800 IU daily from age 71, counting all sources. Osteoporosis, poor absorption, or deficiency may require a different clinician-guided dose. Avoid megadoses and do not use tanning as a vitamin D strategy.[10]

3. Include protein and enough food

Include protein foods such as beans, lentils, eggs, fish, dairy, poultry, or tofu. A balanced diet and adequate calories help maintain muscle and a healthy weight. Restrictive diets and unintended weight loss deserve attention.[4]

4. Combine walking, strength, and balance

Weight-bearing activities such as walking and resistance exercises using bands, weights, or your body weight support bone and muscle strength. Add balance practice, such as adapted tai chi. Swimming and cycling can support fitness, but do not provide the same weight-bearing stimulus.[11]

Build up gradually. If you have osteoporosis, a previous spinal fracture, or a high fall risk, ask about physical therapy. High-impact activity, loaded forward bending, and forceful twisting may need to be avoided or modified.[12]

5. Make falls less likely

Remove loose rugs and clutter, improve lighting, use handrails and bathroom grab bars, and wear supportive shoes. Keep vision checks up to date. Tell us about dizziness, unsteadiness, or falls so we can review medicines and possible causes.[9][4]

6. Avoid smoking and limit alcohol

Stopping smoking and avoiding heavy drinking support bone health. Alcohol can also impair balance and increase the risk of falls.[1]