Mayo Clinic Minute: What's a bone density test?

A bone density test is the best way to find out if you have osteoporosis.

Dr. Bart Clarke is a Mayo Clinic endocrinologist. He says if you’ve never had a fracture, screening guidelines call for your first bone density test at age 65 for women and 70 for men.

Dr. Clarke says if your bone density is normal, your next test won’t be for another five or 10 years. But if the test shows signs of osteoporosis, you should have it done annually.