DEXA Bone Density Scan for Men & Younger Adults | Epoch St Ives
DEXA bone density scans for men and younger adults at Epoch Medical Imaging, St Ives. Osteoporosis is not just a women’s condition. Serving the North Shore.
Do Men Get Osteoporosis? Why Men Need DEXA Scans Too
Osteoporosis is commonly thought of as a condition affecting women — but men can and do develop osteoporosis, and the consequences of an undetected fracture can be just as significant.
Key facts about osteoporosis in men:
– Approximately one in three men over 70 will experience an osteoporotic fracture during their lifetime
– Male bone density declines gradually with age, but more steeply after 70
– Men who sustain a hip fracture have higher complication rates than women — making prevention even more important
– Men are often diagnosed later than women because the condition is less commonly screened for in this group
– Routine DEXA assessment is recommended for men aged 70 and over — or earlier if risk factors are present
The good news is that osteoporosis in men is very manageable when identified early. DEXA scanning provides the objective bone density measurement your GP needs to determine the most appropriate management plan — through lifestyle changes, supplements, and/or medication. Book at Epoch Medical Imaging in St Ives on (02) 9129 6999.
DEXA for Younger Adults on Long-Term Steroids or with Chronic Disease
Osteoporosis is not exclusively a condition of older age. Younger adults with certain medical conditions or on specific long-term medications can experience significant bone loss — and DEXA is the appropriate investigation to detect and monitor this.
Younger adults who should consider early DEXA assessment include those with:
– Long-term corticosteroid use (such as prednisolone for asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, or other conditions) — even relatively low daily doses over time significantly increase fracture risk
– Rheumatoid arthritis or other inflammatory conditions — both the disease process and steroid treatment accelerate bone loss
– Coeliac disease or inflammatory bowel disease — impaired calcium absorption reduces bone density
– Hypogonadism or premature menopause — low sex hormone levels are a potent cause of bone loss in both men and women
– Anorexia or very low body weight — nutritional deficiency severely affects bone health
– Previous unexplained fracture in a young adult
If you are under 50 and have one of these conditions, speak with your GP about an early DEXA assessment.
Low Testosterone & Bone Loss: The Link Men Should Know
Testosterone plays a critical role in maintaining bone density in men — and low testosterone levels (hypogonadism) are a significant, often under-recognised cause of bone loss in men of all ages.
How testosterone affects bone health:
– Testosterone is converted to oestrogen in bone tissue, and it is actually oestrogen that directly maintains bone density in men — not testosterone alone
– Low testosterone leads to reduced oestrogen at the bone level, accelerating bone loss
– Men on androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer experience rapid, significant bone loss — one of the most important reasons for regular DEXA monitoring in this group
– Men with low testosterone due to pituitary conditions, testicular conditions, or other causes are at elevated fracture risk
– Testosterone replacement therapy can help maintain bone density in appropriately selected patients
If you have been diagnosed with low testosterone, or if you are on ADT for prostate cancer, ask your GP or urologist about a DEXA scan and bone health monitoring at Epoch Medical Imaging in St Ives.
When Is a DEXA Scan Recommended Under Age 50?
DEXA scanning in people under 50 is not routine — but it is clinically important in specific situations where bone loss is a known risk.
Situations where DEXA before age 50 is appropriate:
– Long-term corticosteroid use (more than 3 months at a dose of ≥5mg prednisolone per day)
– A previous low-impact fracture — a fracture from minimal trauma at any age warrants investigation
– Premature ovarian insufficiency (menopause before age 44)
– Hypogonadism in either sex
– Malabsorption conditions such as coeliac disease or inflammatory bowel disease
– Hyperthyroidism or primary hyperparathyroidism
– Significant weight loss or very low body weight
– Androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer
In these situations, the Z-score (comparison to age-matched peers) is the most clinically relevant DEXA result — a Z-score below -2.0 indicates bone density lower than expected for age and should prompt further investigation. Your GP will advise whether DEXA is appropriate for your individual situation.
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