What to Expect at Your First Visit

The initial visit to the BoneCare Program begins with an appraisal of your health and lifestyle to determine factors that affect your bone health.

Many women benefit from having a bone densitometry scan. This non-invasive test estimates how strong your bones are and indicates your likelihood of fracture. The scan takes only a few moments to perform and is covered by most health insurance plans for eligible women.

The bone scan uses a very low dose of X-ray (about 1/30 the radiation of a standard chest X-ray, or the equivalent of two hours of sunshine) to scan your hips and spine. A computer converts this information to numbers indicating your bone density. You will receive the measurements the same day as your appointment.

Following your bone health appraisal, we will provide recommendations for improving your bone health. We may also recommend laboratory tests. These tests (such as blood and urine samples) help your medical providers determine the source of your bone loss. We will explain each test, and the results will be mailed to you within two weeks of your appointment. We may also recommend medication that you can start immediately or discuss with your primary care provider.

We will schedule a follow up appointment to discuss your progress. We will also recommend when you should receive another scan. In some circumstances patients may be referred to other health care specialists, such as nutritionists, physical therapists or osteoporosis specialists.

Preparing for Your Visit

Some things to consider as you prepare for your visit include:

• If you are pregnant, you should not receive a bone scan.
• Be ready to provide an account of your past health (medical diagnoses and dates).
• Know doses of any medications you are taking, including vitamins, minerals and supplements.
• Bring copies of any previous bone scans if they have not already been sent to WomanCare. This is necessary in order to calibrate the machinery to compare bone density over time, where bone scans are done at different locations.
• Consider who you would like to receive a copy of your BoneCare clinic visit note, such as your primary care provider or specialist.
• Eat a normal diet on the day of the bone scan. Take your medication as you normally would.
• DO NOT take calcium supplements for 24 hours before the test.
• The test should be performed no sooner than seven days after another X-ray evaluation using contrast dye.
• Your height and weight will be measured before your scan.
• Most scans can be performed without changing into a patient gown; occasionally wearing a gown is necessary to avoid metal in the image area.

Schedule an Appointment

To learn more or schedule an appointment, please call Meriter WomanCare at (608) 417-5433.

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8/10/2006