Question: I am 50 years old. Do I need a bone density test?

Dr. Brownstein's Answer:

Big Pharma would have us believe that almost every woman over 50 years of age needs a bone density test and also needs to be treated for bone loss. However, there is little scientific evidence showing this regimen will result in a lower fracture risk. What it will do is cost a lot of money and give people a lot of side effects.

Most bone mass density (BMD) tests compare bone age to a young woman in her 20s. Everyone has a lower bone density at age 50 compared to age 20 because everyone loses bone as they age. If we compared nearly any aging marker, from most hormone levels to skin elasticity, most aging markers decline as we age.

I do not feel BMD testing should be the sole marker used to determine if one needs to take a life-long expensive medication that is associated with numerous side effects.