Ten years ago, there were about 700 machines that could perform the test. Today, that number has increased to around 5,000, according to Dr. Sebba. Although many insurance companies still do not pay for the test, Medicare now covers testing for certain individuals. Anybody can order the test. There's no such thing as mild osteoporosis, he says, and trying to diagnose it is hard without the test.
Osteoporosis is highly treatable.
The biggest deal is to find out. Once the diagnosis of osteoporosis is made, doctors can recommend individualized treatment. Achieving peak bone mass during childhood is one way to decrease the long-term risks of fractures due to osteoporosis. Currently, only 25 percent of boys and 10 percent of girls aged nine to seventeen are taking the minimum daily recommended calcium dosage of 1,300 mg. Some factors contributing to low calcium levels include restriction of dairy products, low level of fruit and vegetable consumption, and high intake of such low-calcium beverages as sodas.