The Bone Density Service is part of the “Falls Clinic”.  The referrals are triaged (under 65 years of age by the endocrinologist, over 65 years and older by the geriatrician) to either be seen by the geriatrician and have a bone density scan, or have a bone density scan alone which is then reported by the clinician to the requesting doctor.  The patients triaged to see the geriatricians are usually older people with falls and fractures.

What is bone density?
Bone mineral density is a measure of the amount of mineralised bone per unit volume of skeletal mass, usually expressed as gram/cm2.  It is one way of measuring the strength of bones.

How is bone density measured?
Methods available in Auckland include: ultrasound estimates (usually on the heel), CT measures of the lumbar spine, or dual energy X-ray (DEXA) measurements on the lumbar spine or hip.  Plain skeletal radiology is too insensitive for clinical use and may be misleading unless obvious osteoporotic fractures are present.  DEXA scanning is used by the Middlemore Bone Density Clinic. For more information on what to expect during your scan and about DEXA please click here.

Who should have bone density measurements performed?

• Those with symptoms related to possible osteoporosis e.g. any fracture with minor trauma, vertebral pain/crush fracture and kyphosis.
• Those with a strong family history of osteoporosis.
• Those with known risk factors for osteoporosis e.g. steroid use, catabolic illness, early menopause, thyrotoxicosis, hypogonadism, hypopituitarism, insulin dependent diabetes, low calcium intake etc.
• Consideration can be given to screen those with possible risk of osteoporosis e.g. smokers, slim build, inactivity, postmenopausal women.

Referral expectations
Patients already in the hospital (inpatients) can be referred by specialists within the hospital.  Patients in the community (outpatients) will be referred by their GPs on a designated referral form or a letter with clinical details of the patient and the reason for requesting bone density.

There are no charges for NZ Residents.

• Osteoporosis Questionnaire (PDF, 52.4 KB)
• Osteoporosis Guidance (PDF, 1.1 MB)