Testing for Bone Health – Strength/Density

Are my bones strong and healthy?

This test determines the rate of bone breakdown.  If caught in its early stages there is an increased chance of stopping further bone break down with a program of good quality supplementation and the correct exercise  to help strengthen and re-build bones.  It is also possible that a patient with bone breakdown is allergic to calcium and some of the minerals used to build bones.  This can also be easily tested, with a simple muscle test and if an allergy is found it can be corrected using AllerCease™.

What Is Bone Aging?

Over a lifetime, we build & lose bone & this process is a delicate balance between bone health growth & bone breakdown. During the first few years & into early adulthood, the process is strongly weighted towards bone formation, & this process continues until we reach our 20’s to 30’s. Once we pass our 30’s, the cycle reverses & there is a gradual thinning of bone health with age, called osteoporosis. Menopausal patients experience a degree of bone breakdown. This is due to the continued imbalance of hormones, for instance estrogen & progesterone etc.

Why Is It Related to Menopause?

During menstruation, most women output enough progesterone & estrogen from the ovaries; these 2 hormones are key in supporting bone growth. Once women reach mid-forties & usually between 3 to 4 years before entering menopause, these levels of progesterone & estrogen gradually starts to diminish, which then causes an acceleration of bone loss. In men, the decline of testosterone can also lead to bone loss. Men convert testosterone into estrogen so a decrease in testosterone can lead to lower estrogen levels.

Will this Affect Our Health?

The answer is Yes.

Bone health aging & loss leads to osteoporosis & this disease results in bone thinning &, very importantly, fragile bones. This disease, osteoporosis, can affect you or your loved ones in several different ways:

1. The Middle-aged & elderly lose a few inches of height due to osteoporosis.
2. Seniors are more prone to hip fractures which are secondary to osteoporosis.
3. Around 1.5 million bone fractures happen annually secondary to osteoporosis.

What increases the risk for Osteoporosis?

1. Age
2. Family history of osteoporosis
3. Lack of exercise
4. Fair complexion
5. Menopause
6. Smoker
7. Alcohol

 Also if you have been diagnosed with:

1. Arthritis
2. Diabetes
3. Disease of the Thyroid
4. Weak Adrenals
5. Disease of the Kidneys

If your risk is high for developing osteoporosis, Dr. Cushing can objectively assess this risk using the bone health tests below:

1. Urine Testing – One urine sample can be taken any time of the day & tested using our lab to assess the rate of bone breakdown in your body.
2. Bone Density Measurement – Radioactive/x-ray measures your bone strength & mineral content.

What Does Dr. Cushing’s Urine Testing Offer Me?

Dr. Cushing’s urine testing is done by a FDA approved lab where they use the Pyrilinks-D (DPD) urine test, which assesses the bone health breakdown in combination with the saliva test. The saliva is used to measure your hormone levels such as estrogen, progesterone, DHEA, FSH, testosterone & cortisol.

Why use the Bone Health Panel

Dr. Cushing can use the Pyrilinks-D urine test within this panel to:

1. Screen you for osteoporosis in conjunction with your bone health densitometry.
2. Monitor the bone response in hormone replacement therapy &/or osteoporosis treatment protocols.

Dr. Cushing uses FDA approved saliva lab testing to monitor hormone replacement therapy through your levels of estrone, estradiol, estriol, progesterone, DHEA & testosterone. This is done using just the one saliva sample.

READ MORE ABOUT SALIVA TESTING

All tests must be paid for at the time of visit. Insurance claims have to be done by the patient, there is no guarantee that a patient will be able to claim back the cost of any test, however Dr. Cushing will provide the patient with the necessary insurance diagnostic codes once the test is complete and there is a diagnosis.  So that a patient can pursue his own insurance company for possible reimbursement.

All sales are final, tests can’t be returned for a refund once purchased.