Osteoporosis occurs when levels of bone resorption are higher than bone formation, resulting in overall bone loss.Osteoporosis is a chronic disease characterized by low bone mass leading to bone fragility and a consequent increase in fracture risk. Menopause is one risk factor for developing osteoporosis. Indeed, most bone loss occurs within five to seven years after menopause.
The NTx is a molecule released during bone resorption. The NTx test is used primarily in postmenopausal women and people with osteoporosis.

What are the risk factors for developing Osteoporosis?
• Being female
• Being postmenopausal
• Advanced age
• Family history of osteoporosis
• Diet low in calcium
• Use of certain medications (Steroids, anticonvulsant)
• Inactive lifestyle
• Cigarette smoking
• Excessive alcohol intake

What can I do to help prevent osteoporosis?
Regular weights bearing exercise, low to moderate alcohol consumption, elimination of smoking, routine medical checkups and diet and/or supplements with adequate daily calcium.

How does BMD differ from the NTx test? Do I need to have both?
NTx tells you your level of bone resorption, a dynamic measurement that can determine the probability for a decrease in BMD if nothing is done to alter the current level of bone breakdown. BMD provides a static measurement of your current bone density by measuring common fracture sites. To get a complete picture of your bone status, you should have both tests. Once your doctor puts you on therapy for your bones, NTx test can provide the most timely way for you and your doctor to see if the therapy is working.

How can I find out my level of bone resorption (Breakdown)?
Your doctor can order NTx blood test. You don’t have to be fasting before sample collection.

What does the test result mean to me?
The NTx result will provide valuable information about your bones, helping you and your doctor make important decisions about therapies that can protect your bones.

Can NTx tell me if therapy is helping to slow my bone resorption?
Yes. Your NTx level should go down as soon as three months of starting anti-resorptive therapy. NTx can be used to show your response to therapy.

Is NTx useful to me even if I’m not on therapy?
Yes. Your doctor can use the test to indicate your ongoing level of bone resorption.
If I am already on an antiresorptive therapy and didn’t get a NTx initially, is a follow up NTx result useful?

Yes. The NTx result can show your current level of bone resorption and provide your doctor with information to help assess whether your therapy is working.

Provided by LabTech One

Note: NTX blood level test is available only at LabTech One, for more information please call 06-4615001