The Truth About Your Bones After 40: Why You Need a DEXA Scan
The Truth About Your Bones After 40: Why You Need a DEXA Scan
Here’s the deal—bone loss isn’t just an “old lady” problem. If you’re over 40, navigating perimenopause or menopause, your bones are quietly losing density every single year. Estrogen, the very hormone that kept your bones strong and stable for decades, is now in freefall. That silent shift? It can set you up for osteoporosis—and you won’t know it’s happening until something breaks.
Let’s change that.
What Is a DEXA Scan—and Why Should You Care?
A DEXA scan (short for dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) is the gold-standard test to measure bone mineral density (BMD). It tells you how strong your bones are right now—and more importantly, how at-risk you are for fractures as you age.
It’s noninvasive. It’s painless. It takes less than 30 minutes. And it’s the best way to know whether your bones are holding strong—or starting to slip into osteopenia or osteoporosis territory.
Warning: These Risk Factors Are Closer Than You Think
You’re not “too young” to worry about osteoporosis if:
You’re postmenopausal or in perimenopause (especially without estrogen support)
You’ve had early menopause or surgical removal of ovaries
You’re small-framed or underweight
You’ve had a fracture from a minor fall (aka a “fragility fracture”)
You’ve taken steroids like prednisone long-term
You’ve been treated for breast or prostate cancer
You’ve had thyroid or parathyroid imbalances
You smoke or drink more than 2–3 drinks/day
You’ve been inactive or bedridden for long periods
And here’s a big one: low estrogen = low bone density. That’s why hormone balance isn’t just about feeling better—it’s about protecting your skeleton, too.
What the Test Looks Like
The DEXA scan zeros in on your spine and hips—the most likely spots to suffer silent fractures. You lie down on a padded table while a scanner passes over you. No discomfort, no prep, and no recovery time. You’ll get results within a few days.
There’s also a smaller version (p-DEXA) that checks your wrist, heel, or finger. It’s helpful for quick screenings but doesn’t give the full picture like the central scan does.
Decoding Your Results
Your scan gives you two key scores:
T-score: Compares your bones to a healthy 30-year-old woman (yep, 30).
Z-score: Compares your bones to someone your same age, race, and sex.
Your results will fall into one of three zones:
Normal bone density
Osteopenia – early bone loss (a warning flag)
Osteoporosis – bones are weakened and fracture-prone
The Functional Medicine Take
This isn’t just about calcium or vitamin D. In my world, we dig deeper. We look at the whole terrain:
Estrogen and progesterone balance
Thyroid and adrenal health
Nutrient absorption and gut function
Inflammation, stress, and lifestyle load
If you’re losing bone, we don’t just say “take a pill and hope.” We ask why—and then we fix it.
Bottom Line
If you’re over 40 and haven’t had a bone scan yet, you’re flying blind. Osteoporosis is silent—but it’s not inevitable. You can strengthen your bones, balance your hormones, and age with power, not fragility.
Take the First Step
Wondering if your bone loss is tied to your hormones? (Hint: it probably is.) Let’s get you tested, treated, and back in control. Explore bioidentical hormone therapy and what it can do to protect your bones—and your whole body.
