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 potential to stop further bone break down with a program of good quality supplementation and the correct exercise to help strengthen and re-build bones. It is possible that a patient with bone breakdown may be allergic to calcium and the minerals used to build bones. This can be easily tested, with a simple muscle test and if an allergy is found it can be corrected using AllerCease™.
What Is Bone Aging?
During our lifetimes, we build and lose bone. This process is a delicate balance between bone health growth and bone breakdown. From birth to 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 and the bone gradually thins in a process called osteoporosis.
Why Is It Related to Menopause?
During menstruation, most women produce enough progesterone and estrogen from the ovaries; these two hormones are key in supporting bone growth. Once women reach their mid-forties and usually between three to four years before entering menopause, their levels of progesterone and estrogen gradually starts to diminish, which causes an acceleration of bone loss. In men, the decline of testosterone also leads to bone loss. Men convert testosterone into estrogen so a decrease in testosterone leads to lower estrogen levels.
Does this Affect Our Health?
The answer is Yes.
Osteoporosis can affect you or your loved ones in several different ways:
- The middle-aged and elderly lose a few inches of height due to osteoporosis.
- Seniors are more prone to hip fractures which are secondary to osteoporosis.
- Around 1.5 million bone fractures happen annually secondary to osteoporosis.
What increases the risk for Osteoporosis?
- Age
- Family history of osteoporosis
- Lack of exercise
- Fair complexion
- Menopause
- Smoker
- Alcohol
Also if you have been diagnosed with:
- Arthritis
- Diabetes
- Thyroid Disease
- Kidney Disease
If your risk is high for developing osteoporosis, Dr. Cushing can objectively assess this risk using the bone health tests below:
- Urine Testing – One urine sample can be taken any time of the day and tested using our lab to assess the rate of bone breakdown in your body.
- Bone Density Measurement – Radioactive/x-ray measures your bone strength & mineral content.
What Does Dr. Cushing’s Urine Testing Offer?
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:
- Screen you for osteoporosis in conjunction with your bone health densitometry.
- Monitor the bone response in hormone replacement therapy and/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 are done by the patient, there is no guarantee that a patient will be able to claim back the cost of any test. 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.
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