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Bone Density Test
This simple urine test accurately assesses antiresorptive
therapies and predicts future skeletal status.
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Reasons
to take this test:
Female
Age 45+, Menopause, Family History of Osteoporosis, Inactivity,
High
Dietary Protein Consumption, Small Frame
Overview
NTx is one collagen fragment produced as the osteoclasts (cells
that break down bone) work in the body. Normally, the pits created
are filled with new bone by the osteoblasts (cells that make bone).
This process constantly rebuilds and repairs bone. NTx levels will
rise as the rate of bone breakdown increases. If bone is broken
down faster than it can be rebuilt the bones lose density and become
fragile.
Parameters:
Once regarded as an inevitable part of aging, osteoporosis and
fracture risks are now recognized as preventable and treatable.
Detecting fracture risk and preventing fractures are key intervention
strategies. Collagen degradation products in urine, particularly
cross-linked telopeptides and pyridinolines, have the highest specificity
to bone resorption activity. The telopeptide markers appear to
be the most specific and responsive markers of systemic osteoclast
activity.
NTx (Ntelopeptide)
NTx (N telopeptide) is a collagen marker which is formed during
bone resorption and excreted in the urine. This bone resorption
marker is clinically useful for detecting rapid bone loss which
can result in low bone mineral density, osteoporosis, and an increased
susceptibility to fracture. Soon after starting appropriate therapy
to restore bone mineral density, significant changes in Ntx levels
occur, which can be monitored to determine the effectiveness of
the therapy. Unlike bone mineral density measurements such as X-Rays,
which give a static picture of a bone's density, Osteo Watch NTx
assesses the rate of bone loss or bone remineralization that takes
place over the interval between testing.
Summary
NTx is a urinary marker of bone resorption. The test accurately
assesses antiresorptive therapies and predicts future skeletal
status. Elevated Ntx levels should be treated to reduce the risk
of fracture.
Bone fractures are a significant cause of illness and death in
the elderly.
Ntx measurements determine the dynamic rate of bone loss.
Measurement of NTx provides a rapid assessment of skeletal response
to antiresorptive therapies.
References
- Wilkin TJ. Changing perceptions in osteoporosis. BMJ 1999 Mar
27;318(7187):862-4
- Fillmore CM, Bartoli L, Bach R, Park Y. Nutrition and dietary
supplements Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am 1999 Aug;10(3):673-703
- Center
JR, Nguyen TV, Schneider D, Sambrook PN, Eisman JA Mortality
after all major types of osteoporotic fracture
in men and women:
an observational study.Lancet 1999 Mar 13;353(9156):878-82
- Rosen CJ,
Chesnut CH 3rd, Mallinak NJ The predictive value of biochemical
markers of bone turnover for bone mineral
density in early postmenopausal
women treated with hormone replacement or calcium supplementation.
J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1997 Jun;82(6):1904-10.
- Eyre
DR. Bone biomarkers as tools in osteoporosis management.
Spine 1997 Dec 15;22(24 Suppl):17S-24S
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