Description
Osteoporosis is a bone disease that causes bones to become weak and more likely to break. It's often called a "silent disease" because there usually aren't symptoms until a bone breaks. Evaluation includes a bone density evaluation by your provider but it is helpful to look for other reasons for decreased bone density.
Causes
Bone loss
- Osteoporosis occurs when bones break down faster than they are replaced. This can be caused by hormonal changes during menopause, a lack of physical activity, or other health issues.
Lifestyle factors
- Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and a sedentary lifestyle can increase the risk of osteoporosis.
Symptoms
- Bone fractures, especially in the hip, spine, or wrist
- Severe back pain
- Loss of height
- A stooped or hunched posture (kyphosis)
This panel includes the following test:
C-peptide
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) and Calcium Blood
Fasting not required.
Additional information about each test is listed below:
A C-telopeptide test is not directly used to diagnose osteoporosis, but it can be relevant in certain situations because research suggests a potential link between low C-peptide levels (indicating low insulin production) and decreased bone mineral density, which is a factor in osteoporosis; therefore, a C-peptide test may be ordered in some cases to assess potential contributing factors to bone health, particularly in patients with suspected or diagnosed osteoporosis, especially if they also exhibit symptoms related to diabetes or insulin dysfunction.
A complete blood count (CBC) is sometimes used in conjunction with other tests when evaluating osteoporosis because it can help identify underlying conditions that might be contributing to bone loss, particularly if there is an abnormal white blood cell count, which may indicate an inflammatory process potentially linked to bone degradation; however, a CBC alone is not diagnostic for osteoporosis and a bone density scan is needed for definitive diagnosis.
A comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) blood test measures a number of substances in your blood to assess your overall health. The test can help identify problems with your liver and kidneys, blood sugar, and electrolyte balance.
A parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcium blood test measures the amount of PTH in the blood and helps determine the cause of abnormal calcium levels. This test can help diagnose conditions like osteoporosis, hyperparathyroidism, and hypoparathyroidism.
