What blood tests are used to diagnose osteoporosis?

Medical Advisory BoardAll articles are reviewed for accuracy by our Medical Advisory Board
Educational purpose only • Exercise caution as content is pending human review
Article Review Status
Submitted
Under Review
Approved

Last updated: February 17, 2025 • View editorial policy

Personalize

Help us tailor your experience

Which best describes you? Your choice helps us use language that's most understandable for you.

From the Guidelines

Ostéoporose peut être diagnostiquée par des tests sanguins qui évaluent la densité minérale osseuse et le métabolisme osseux.

Les tests sanguins couramment utilisés incluent :

  • La mesure des taux de calcium
  • La mesure des taux de phosphore
  • La mesure des taux de vitamine D
  • La mesure des taux de parathormone
  • La mesure des taux de alcaline phosphatase Ces tests sont utilisés pour évaluer la santé osseuse et identifier les personnes à risque de développer une ostéoporose, comme indiqué dans les études 1. Les patients présentant une ostéoporose peuvent également bénéficier d'un traitement médicamenteux, tel que l'alendronate (70 mg par semaine pendant 6 à 12 mois) ou le dénaosumab (60 mg toutes les 6 mois), afin de réduire le risque de fractures, comme indiqué dans les études 1. Il est important de noter que les tests sanguins ne sont qu'un outil de diagnostic et que d'autres facteurs, tels que l'âge, le sexe, l'historique médical et les facteurs de style de vie, doivent également être pris en compte pour évaluer le risque d'ostéoporose. Les études 1 fournissent des informations sur les tests sanguins et les traitements utilisés pour diagnostiquer et traiter l'ostéoporose.

From the Research

Blood Tests for Osteoporosis Diagnosis

There are several blood tests that can be used to diagnose osteoporosis, including:

  • Bone mineral density (BMD) tests, which measure the density of bones in the body 2
  • Tests for vitamin D levels, which can help diagnose vitamin D deficiency, a common cause of osteoporosis 3
  • Tests for homocysteine levels, which have been linked to an increased risk of osteoporosis 4
  • Tests for osteocalcin levels, which can help diagnose bone loss and osteoporosis 4

Markers of Bone Health

Several markers of bone health can be measured in the blood to help diagnose osteoporosis, including:

  • Bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, which can indicate bone formation
  • Osteocalcin, which can indicate bone formation
  • C-telopeptide, which can indicate bone resorption
  • Homocysteine, which can indicate an increased risk of osteoporosis 4

Limitations of Blood Tests

While blood tests can be useful in diagnosing osteoporosis, they have several limitations, including:

  • They may not accurately reflect bone density or risk of fracture
  • They may not be able to distinguish between different types of osteoporosis
  • They may require additional testing, such as BMD tests, to confirm a diagnosis 5, 6

References

1
Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

3
Research

The effect of vitamin D on bone and osteoporosis.

Best practice & research. Clinical endocrinology & metabolism, 2011

5
Research

Osteoporosis.

Lancet (London, England), 2019

6
Research

[Osteoporosis].

Revue medicale suisse, 2022

Related Questions

What is the diagnosis for an 86-year-old man with osteoporosis, elevated parathyroid hormone (PTH), normal calcium levels, and vitamin D levels of 65.9?
Should a 92-year-old woman with osteoporosis be treated?
Can a patient with osteoporosis take Wegovy (semaglutide)?
What is the diagnostic and treatment approach for suspected osteoporotic or traumatic fractures?
Does a 64-year-old female with low back and hip pain, degenerative disease on lumbar (lower back) X-ray, and mild sclerotic changes on hip X-ray have a referrable bone health issue regarding her hip?
Is a gluten-free diet beneficial for intestinal health?
What is the differential diagnosis for a 74-year-old patient with liver failure, presenting with altered mental status (AMS), coagulopathy (International Normalized Ratio (INR) 2.5, Prothrombin Time (PT) 27.6), significantly elevated liver enzymes (Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) and Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) in the thousands), hyperlactatemia (lactate 23), leukocytosis (white blood cell count 30), and troponin elevation (troponin 83), with a background of Hepatitis B (Hep B) surface antibody (AB) positive, Hep B core immunoglobulin G (IgG) positive, and cirrhosis on ultrasound (US), and is this consistent with fulminant liver failure?
What is the prognosis for low-grade (Gleason score 6 or lower) prostate cancer?
What are the differential diagnoses for ocular emergencies?
What is the diagnosis and treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)?
What is the exposure risk for a doctor who came into contact with blood from an Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) positive mother during placental delivery, with blood splashing onto intact skin and clothing?

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

Have a follow-up question?

Our Medical A.I. is used by practicing medical doctors at top research institutions around the world. Ask any follow up question and get world-class guideline-backed answers instantly.

Ask Question