This means you have a less than 10% chance of a broken bone in the next 10 years
Prescription osteoporosis medication is not recommended
BMD test in 5-10 years unless big change in health status that could lead to bone loss, e.g. starting steroids
Moderate Risk
This means you have a 10-20% chance of a broken bone in the next 10 years
More investigation: possible secondary causes, may involve blood tests or referral to a specialist such as a rheumatologist, endocrinologist, internist or geriatrician
BMD test in 1-3 years
High Risk
This means your risk of having a broken bone in the next 10 years is greater than 20%.
The priority first is to look at lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise and assess other causes for bone loss.
If you are at high risk, the recommendation from the Osteoporosis Canada Clinical Practice Guidelines is prescription osteoporosis medication. Many options are available that can reduce the risk of fracture by about 50%.
Maintaining bone density and preventing fracture means the medication is working.
Medications include bisphosphonates, denosumab, romosozumab, hormone therapy, SERMs, parathyroid hormone
You are automatically at high risk if you have had a hip fracture, spine fracture, two or more other fragility fractures or have had a fracture and are on steroid medication.
BMD test in 1-3 years to ensure medication is working
