Chronic Health Blog

Testosterone Tuesday: Men Need Bone Tests Too

It’s not just women who need bone tests.  Latest research reveals that older men need to have a bone test to see if they have osteoporosis.

The National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends a bone-mineral density X-ray test for all men 70 and older, just like women 65 and older have long been urged to get. Both men and women who are at higher risk for other health problems may need to have the tests at an earlier age.

A quarter of hip fractures occur in men. Because men live longer than women, the number of men who break their hip is rising.

In addition to a routine bone check for older men, the guidelines recommend:

• Treat postmenopausal women and men 50 and older who have thinning bones, but not osteoporosis yet, if they have at least a 20 percent risk of any major fracture in the next decade, or at least a 3 percent risk of a hip fracture.
• Check for osteoporosis risk factors in postmenopausal women and men 50 and over, to see who needs a bone test before their senior years.
• A bone test for anyone who has any type of fracture after age 50, or who has conditions associated with bone loss, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
• For adults over 50, 1,200 milligrams a day of calcium and 800 to 1,000 international units a day of Vitamin D, more D than the government recommends.
• Do regular weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercise.

Posted on April 29th, 2008 in Men's Health, Testosterone Tuesday | Tags: Bone Health, Men's Health, Testosterone Tuesday | Author: Sandy Robinson | 1 Comment

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