BMD Follow-Up Scan Recommendations

A baseline Bone Mineral Density (BMD) study is the first scan performed to assess a patient’s bone health and establish a reference point for future comparison. A baseline study is only completed once in a patient’s lifetime, as all future BMD examinations are considered follow-up studies and are compared against the original baseline results. Follow-up BMD studies are used to monitor changes in bone density over time, evaluate fracture risk, and assess how well treatments or lifestyle changes may be working. The recommended timing for follow-up scans depends on a patient’s individual risk factors as well as recommendations given by Radiologist on the report. Patients considered low risk are generally recommended to have repeat BMD testing at a minimum of every 5 years, while patients with higher risk factors are typically recommended for follow-up at a minimum of every 3 years. In certain high-risk situations, yearly BMD scanning may be appropriate, including for patients with Cushing’s syndrome, those taking more than 20 mg of daily steroid medication, or when additional medical factors identified by a healthcare provider require closer monitoring of bone health.