bone mineral density

A bone mineral density (BMD) test, also called a bone mass measurement, is used to measure bone density and determine fracture risk for osteoporosis. It may also be used to determine how effective an osteoporosis treatment is. The National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends BMD testing for the following individuals [1]:All women aged 65 and older regardless of risk factorsYounger postmenopausal women with one or more risk factors. Postmenopausal women who present with fractures (to confirm the diagnosis and determine disease severity). Estrogen deficient women at clinical risk for osteoporosis.Individuals with vertebral abnormalities.Individuals receiving, or planning to receive, long-term glucocorticoid (steroid) therapy.Individuals with primary hyperparathyroidism.Individuals being monitored to assess the response or efficacy of an approved osteoporosis drug therapy. While there are many different types of BMD tests, all are non-invasive. Most tests differ in which bones are measured to determine the BMD result.
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Bone mineral density n. See bone density. bone mineral density A measurement of bone mass, expressed as the amount of mineral–in grams divided [more]Bone mineral density - Community and Resources

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BMD. A measure of the amount of calcium contained in a certain volume of bone. Calcium gives bones their strength and helps keep them from breaking. Bone density measurements may be used to diagnose osteoporosis, to see how well osteoporosis treatments are working, and to figure out how likely the bones are to break. Also called bone density and bone mass.