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Osteoporosis tests

Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease, characterised by low bone mass resulting from decreased bone density, which makes the bones more fragile and prone to fracture. Osteoporosis is the most common metabolic bone disease in the world, affecting about 200 million people. According to the Lithuanian Osteoporosis Foundation, it affects about 10-12% of the population in Lithuania. 

At the onset of the disease, the patient does not exhibit any obvious medical signs or symptoms, therefore, osteoporosis is usually detected after a minor traumatic fracture (forearm bones, vertebrae, femur). As the disease progresses, the patient suffers from chronic pain (especially back pain), his or her posture changes, the patient loses height and the spine becomes more curved giving the impression that the person is slouching. With the number of people affected growing, osteoporosis is becoming an increasingly important public health problem, which presents us with increasing social and economic challenges.

Osteoporosis could be prevented, or its morbidity decreased if risk factors are controlled, and preventive measures taken in time. Although at the moment osteoporosis cannot be cured, there is medication which helps stop the disease from progressing or slows down its development, therefore, carrying out the necessary tests in time is very important.

The bone resorption marker (Beta-CrossLaps), total propeptide of type 1 procollagen (P1NP), and osteocalcin are some of the main lab markers that help diagnose osteoporosis, assess the risk of bone fractures, control the development of the disease and evaluate the effectiveness of medication treatment.

These bone marker tests help:

  • evaluate the patient’s risk of bone mass loss;
  • observe the effectiveness of therapy and differentiate patients who do not stick with the treatment plan and those for whom medication therapy is ineffective;
  • assess the risk of bone fracture and changes in bone mineral density when taking medication.

Bone densitometry (DEXA) shows the state of a particular bone whereas blood tests for osteoporosis diagnostic help evaluate the speed of metabolism and the state of the whole skeletal system. 
Bone markers are not only reserved for examination of osteoporosis. They are significant in the evaluation of other bone-related disorders, too, for example, Paget’s disease of the bone, primary and secondary hyperparathyroidism, osteomalacia, and metabolic bone disease.

You do not have to make an appointment for a test.

Programs

Osteoporosis test price

Service
Regular price Regular For clients who are not covered by compulsory health insurance
beta - CrossLaps/serum**

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Bone alkaline phosphatase (ALP)

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Ostecalcin N-Mid**

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Prokollagen-I, N-teminal propeptid (P1NP, early prostate and breast cancer metastases in bone sign)**

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What factors affect the price?

The prices indicated below apply to citizens of the Republic of Lithuania and the European Union.
If you are coming from another country please check the price by telephoning or sending an email.

More about prices

Checklist for patients prior to blood tests
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Why it is worth

to be examined at our Centre?

  • Your tests will be appropriately performed. The quality of our lab services has been acknowledged with our ISO 15189 accreditation. 
  • Our lab technicians will comment on the test results. Few labs in the country provide this service.
  • We can do additional osteoporosis tests, if needed, from the same blood sample taken up to 7 days ago. This is especially relevant for children or patients living in other towns!
  • There is no risk of damaging or mixing up test samples in transportation, which statistically is one of the leading causes for ruined blood samples in labs.

Good to know

  • Beta-CrossLaps marker describes bone resorption – increased concentration of this marker can reveal a significant change in bone mass much earlier than other tests would.
  • High levels of bone resorption markers indicate that the patient has double the risk of bone fractures.
  • These markers can be used to evaluate the risk of bone fractures for patients for whom bone densitometry (DEXA) and clinical risk factors are not enough to decide about treatment.
  • P1NP marker describes bone formation (building). 
  • If the bone marker concentrations are very high in osteoporotic patients, this can mean that the patient has another metabolic bone disease, including one that is malignant.
Test Type Treatment Treatment
Expected change after treatment
Testing frequency
Beta-CrossLaps
Bone resorption (loss) marker

Antiresorptive therapy
Minimum 35-55% decrease Initial value prior to treatment, then testing after 3 months and retesting every 6-12 months.

Total P1NP
Bone formation marker Antiresorptive therapy
Minimum 40% decrease
Initial value prior to treatment, then testing after 6 months and retesting every 6-12 months.

Osteocalcin
 
Anabolic therapy (adaptation is used first)

Minimum 35-55% decrease
Initial value prior to treatment, then testing after 3 months and retesting every 6-12 months.

We recommend carrying out bone marker tests in the morning before 9 a.m., having fasted.

  • The report with the test results will be prepared in 2-3 hours on weekdays. They can be picked up at the reception or we can send it via email at your request.
  • Unsure how to interpret the results? Call the lab, phone: (8 5) 247 64 22.

FAQ (frequently asked questions)

Examining the state of bones is important as it allows potential changes and the quality of the bone structure to be detected early and, consequently, prevent potential life-threatening bone fractures. Left untreated, osteoporosis may cause spontaneous vertebral, shin, forearm, and femoral fractures.

If increased bone fracture risk is diagnosed early, treatment is prescribed, preventative measures are recommended, and, most importantly, fractures are averted. Screening is especially important for people with a higher risk of developing osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis occurs more often in:

  • women;
  • women after menopause;
  • women of frail build after menopause;
  • the physically inactive;
  • smokers;
  • heavy drinkers;
  • patients who have calcium and vitamin D deficiency for extended periods of time;
  • patients who consume a lot of products which are high in caffeine (more than three cups of coffee, tea, or coke a day);
  • patients who have a genetic predisposition;
  • patients who take particular medication for extended periods of time (prednisolone, thyroid hormones, antispasmodics, antacids containing aluminium).

Osteoporosis is treated with medication or other measures, for example, supplements, kinesiotherapy, etc. Several treatment plans are proved to be effective in strengthening bones and reducing the fracture risk by 50%. There are two treatment strategies: antiresorptive therapy, which aims at preventing further bone mass loss, and anabolic therapy, which aims at boosting bone-building. Osteoporosis must be treated in order to ensure quality life and freedom of movement and prevent bone fracture.

Please do not postpone important decisions - take care of yourself now!

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