I don't want a bone density test
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (361125)
Rockingham, Australia
July 23, 2025 7:47am CST
The photo is of a Melbourne sculpture. It’s called the ‘public purse’. You can get some idea of the scale from the person’s leg in the background. We rode past this on the tram but it isn’t my photo.
Moving on …. I hope I haven’t written about this before. I did do a bit of a search.
I’ve had notification that it’s time for a bone density test which is more or less an X-ray. I’m at risk of osteoporosis. I get a jab in the tummy every six months and take calcium and Vitamin D supplements. The test won’t cost me anything but someone has to pay for it and I just think that it means that, over time, ours and everyone else’s health insurance will increase.
A new test will say the situation is a bit worse or a bit better but there won’t be anything they can do about it so why have the test at all? Maybe I should speak to my doctor about it. I have to get a referral from her anyway before I can have the test.
Photo courtesy: Whoop90, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
15 people like this
15 responses
@FourWalls (77946)
• United States
23 Jul
I would suggest that you talk to your doctor and ask WHY he/she wants it done. Explain your concerns that it’s not really going to “help” anything because it’s not a condition (osteopenia?) that can be “cured.” However, the progress can be slowed. Still, when you turn 60 you get a senior discount card and a warning that you’re more susceptible to bone fractures because of osteopenia. Part of the privilege of living this long! 
3 people like this
@JudyEv (361125)
• Rockingham, Australia
24 Jul
You're quite right and I'll do that (talk to my doctor) next time I need to go to see her. However, I don't think there is a great urgency for this so I'll just wait until I need to go for some other concern.
And of course we're now way too old to die young. 
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (198102)
• United States
25 Jul
@JudyEv It seems like every time I go to my PCP she wants some kind of test/s.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (198102)
• United States
24 Jul
My osteoporosis was reversed with medication. Now I have osteopenia; and I'm just supposed to increase my calcium intake.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (85889)
• United States
23 Jul
I'm supposed to go for a bone density test too but from what I gather it's just routine. So far I've resisted going and will probably continue to hold off unless it's absolutely necessary. I hate all these tests that are required when you hit a certain age.
2 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (85889)
• United States
24 Jul
@JudyEv I don't see the point either unless you know that things are getting worse. I wonder how good all those x-rays are for us
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (361125)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 Jul
@Marilynda1225 They say this a low-dosage. I'm not sure it even is an X-ray but they duck behind their screen while it happens so there must be some radiation or whatever.
@youless (113689)
• Guangzhou, China
23 Jul
You are quite considerate
In fact I haven't even wanted to have a body check for years. Now I will take a calcium and eat an egg daily. I think it's good for my health. I don't want to have so many body checks. If I meet a bad doctor, probably it'll upset me and it'll make me feel worse. If I don't feel well, my body will tell me and then I will go to see a doctor. I know some will say having body checks will avoid some healthy problems. But I also know even some people have the body check every year, they can still have a deadly disease and there is no treatment.
In fact I haven't even wanted to have a body check for years. Now I will take a calcium and eat an egg daily. I think it's good for my health. I don't want to have so many body checks. If I meet a bad doctor, probably it'll upset me and it'll make me feel worse. If I don't feel well, my body will tell me and then I will go to see a doctor. I know some will say having body checks will avoid some healthy problems. But I also know even some people have the body check every year, they can still have a deadly disease and there is no treatment.2 people like this
@youless (113689)
• Guangzhou, China
25 Jul
@JudyEv This puzzles me because what you said is right. But sometimes even a man has the body checks every year, somewhat one day this person can just have a bad disease in the last stage. Especially if meeting a bad doctor, the worries even make the patients feel worse.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (53190)
• United States
23 Jul
I can understand you not wanting to to get the test. I can’t stand getting any medical tests.
2 people like this
@xFiacre (14149)
• Ireland
23 Jul
@judyev This irks me. Doctors do so many tests that are really for their interest and little more. Even when fast approaching the end, a lot of folk are tested for all sorts of things and it just doesn’t really matter. “I,ll just draw some blood to check your cholesterol before you die sir”.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (361125)
• Rockingham, Australia
24 Jul
That's very true. The government is paying for the tests so it's no skin off our noses but it all adds up and then health insurance fees have to rise.
@snowy22315 (194572)
• United States
23 Jul
I am glad you mentioned this because I remembered to ask the doc about a bone density test too.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (194572)
• United States
24 Jul
@JudyEv I hope so. I am waiting for a referral. it doesn't hurt does it?
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (361125)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 Jul
@snowy22315 No, you just lay there.. I think if you don't have any metal on you you don't even need to undress. Otherwise they ask you to put on one of those gowns. It doesn't even take very long.
@allknowing (151899)
• India
24 Jul
I too avoid any tests these days knowing nothing much can be done
1 person likes this
@allknowing (151899)
• India
24 Jul
@JudyEv I do blood work once a year which includes D and D3 We can treat ourseles if there is a deficiency
@DaddyEvil (157006)
• United States
23 Jul
I hate getting tested for anything... But, as Pretty keeps pointing out, refusing to face the truth won't make it go away and leave me alone... At some point, I have to either say I'd rather just fall apart and be buried or I need to take my meds and do my best to correct the situation.
I, and I'm sure your hubby and family, would like to see you around for years and years to come. (I don't know why I keep trying to stick my nose in your business, but... I'm doing it again. )
)1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (157006)
• United States
24 Jul
@JudyEv Thanks.
That's understandable... As long as you're doing what needs to be done, then the doctors should leave you to it.
1 person likes this
In this case, I'm doing all the stuff they suggest and would prefer to leave it at that.
@wolfgirl569 (120971)
• Marion, Ohio
23 Jul
Huge purse.
I need to do my mammogram. Just keep putting it off
1 person likes this
@paigea (36167)
• Canada
23 Jul
Talk to your Dr. I agree that we don't need to take unnecessary tests.
However, from talking to friends, there are various ways of treating osteoporosis. The scan helps them decide.
I was at the point of a weekly tablet, calcium and vitamin D. I guess the scan shows if or when I need to start the injections.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (198102)
• United States
24 Jul
As I mentioned before, osteoporosis can be reversed as it was in my case. I just had my test; and I have osteopenia and not osteoporosis. That's a very cool purse.
