Osteoporosis is a disease that is systemic in nature. At the first stages of development progresses slowly. Therefore, when it manifests itself clearly, many patients already need to perform an operation on different parts of the body. That is why it is recommended to diagnose osteoporosis at least once a year to all people who are already 40 years old. The thing is that the main symptom of the disease is a decrease in bone density of the entire skeleton, which is why fractures often occur due to a small load.
Laboratory diagnostics of osteoporosis
The main thing that must be remembered - with the help of traditional radiography can not properly assess the degree of the disease. This method makes it possible only to suspect the presence of ailment. To assign a course and an accurate assessment of the skeleton, you need to obtain quantitative information showing the actual state of the bones. Thus, the diagnosis of osteoporosis of the spine, thighs, arms and the rest of the skeleton is performed. This estimate is considered basic. It is called densitometry and can be of several types:
- X-ray;
- computer tomography;
- ultrasound.
In addition, the diagnosis of osteoporosis is carried out on the basis of blood and body secretions, which also allow you to examine in detail all the important indicators responsible for the current state of bone tissue. The main elements that need to be addressed are:
- calcium ;
- inorganic phosphorus;
- parathyroid hormone ;
- dioxypyridonoline;
- osteocalcin.
In most of the laboratories, at the time of issuing the results of the tests, with the indicators nearby there is also a transcript, allowing to assess the state of bone tissue. If the received data does not fall within the prescribed limits - it is worth worrying.