Why early detection of osteoporosis matters

As we grow older, our bones change in ways that can increase fracture risk and lead to osteoporosis. These changes can feel unavoidable, but understanding your bone health can meaningfully benefit your long-term wellbeing.

Here's why it's worth paying attention, especially past age 50, regardless of how fit you feel.

Bone is a living tissue

After 50, bone quantity and bone quality can both start to decline in women and men alike, driven by a mix of factors:

Bones aren't static, they're dynamic tissue that constantly remodels itself. That tissue forms a mesh inside the bone, known as bone microarchitecture: The intricate internal structure visible at the microscopic level.

Over time, declining bone quantity and quality make bones more susceptible to fractures, even from minor falls or impacts. Weak bone density combined with weakened microarchitecture is what leads to osteoporosis: Bones that are fragile, brittle, and more likely to break.

Osteoporosis is typically diagnosed with A DXA scan.

Test your bone health

The current gold standard for assessing bone health is measuring both Bone Mineral Density (BMD) and Trabecular Bone Score^® (TBS^®) together, which will give you a full picture of your bone status.

Both are measured at the same time through a single DXA scan, at a radiology centre or any practice equipped with a DXA machine.

Understanding your results

By analyzing the results of both your BMD and TBS^® scores, your healthcare provider can build a personalised treatment plan and lifestyle recommendations to improve your bone health. Your results go directly to your referring doctor, who will walk you through what they mean.