Healthy Aging & Longevity
Bone Health & Osteoporosis — Talk to a Licensed Healthcare Provider Online
Low bone density and osteoporosis often cause no symptoms until a fracture happens. A licensed healthcare provider can review your risk, discuss your DEXA results, and help you understand your options — from home, at your pace.
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Bone health & osteoporosis
🦴 What brings most people to this page
Maybe your doctor mentioned low bone density and you are not sure what to do next. Maybe you hit your mid-60s and know you should probably get a bone density test but have not gotten around to it. Maybe you broke a bone from a minor fall and it made you wonder if something is going on. Or maybe you have been on a medication for years — like prednisone — and no one has ever talked to you about your bones.
All of those are exactly the kinds of conversations a licensed provider can help with. Understanding your risk, making sense of results you already have, figuring out the right next step — that is where we can add real value, from home.
What an online bone health visit can offer
A focused conversation with a licensed physician or NP about your bone health risk, your history, and your questions. Review of existing DEXA results or bone density reports if you have them. Guidance on whether screening may be appropriate for your age and risk profile. A clear picture of what your options are and what the right next step looks like for your specific situation.
🚨 If you may have fractured a bone
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department for a suspected hip fracture, inability to stand or move after a fall, major trauma, limb deformity with numbness or absent pulse, or back pain with new leg weakness or loss of bladder or bowel control. Seek prompt same-day in-person care for inability to bear weight, a possible fracture after injury, sudden severe back pain, or significant new loss of height. A telehealth bone health visit is not the right setting for evaluating a new injury.
Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones become less dense and more prone to fracturing from minor trauma — a fall, a bump, even lifting something. It is called a silent condition because most people have no symptoms until a fracture occurs. The most common fracture sites are the spine, hip, and wrist, and a hip fracture in particular carries serious consequences for independence and long-term health.
Osteopenia refers to bone density that is lower than expected but has not yet reached the osteoporosis threshold. Both are typically identified through a DEXA scan — a painless, low-radiation bone density test. Osteoporosis may also be diagnosed after certain low-trauma fractures even when the T-score alone does not meet the usual threshold. Neither condition is inevitable, and both can be addressed with the right combination of lifestyle changes, monitoring, and when appropriate, treatment.
Who is at risk
⚠️ Osteoporosis risk factors — what affects your bones over time
Some risk factors for osteoporosis cannot be changed. Others can be addressed through lifestyle and medical review. Knowing where you stand is the first step toward protecting your bones before a fracture occurs.
Sex, age, and body size
Women generally have lower peak bone mass than men and lose bone faster, particularly after menopause when estrogen levels drop. Risk increases with age in both sexes. People with a small body frame or very low body weight typically have less bone mass available as they age.
Family history and prior fractures
A parent or sibling with osteoporosis or a hip fracture increases your risk. A prior low-trauma fracture — particularly of the hip, spine, wrist, or upper arm — is one of the strongest predictors of a future fracture and warrants evaluation even if bone density has not been previously tested.
Hormonal and medical factors
Low estrogen from menopause or prolonged absence of periods, low testosterone, thyroid disease, parathyroid problems, and conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and chronic kidney disease all affect bone health. A provider can review which conditions are relevant to your situation.
Medications that affect bone
Long-term use of glucocorticoid steroids like prednisone is among the most significant medication-related risk factors for bone loss. Proton pump inhibitors, certain antiepileptic medications, some cancer therapies, and other drugs can also affect bone over time. A provider can review your medication list in this context. Do not stop a prescribed steroid or other medication without guidance from your prescribing clinician.
Calcium, vitamin D, and nutrition
Inadequate calcium or vitamin D can impair bone health, particularly in people with deficiency or low dietary intake. For most people, getting calcium through food is preferred over relying on supplements alone, though supplements can help fill gaps when dietary intake is insufficient. A provider can help assess your intake and whether testing or supplementation makes sense.
Physical activity, smoking, and alcohol
Weight-bearing exercise helps maintain bone strength and reduces fall risk. Smoking and tobacco use impair bone formation. Higher alcohol intake increases fracture risk both through its effects on bone and through its effects on balance and fall risk. These are all modifiable factors that a provider can help you address.
Not sure where you stand? A licensed provider can help you make sense of your risk.
Start a VisitBone density testing
🔬 DEXA scans and bone density testing — what to know
Because bone loss produces no symptoms, a bone density test is the only way to identify low bone density before a fracture occurs. The standard test is a DEXA scan — a quick, painless, low-radiation scan that measures bone mineral density and produces a result used to classify bone health.
Who may benefit from bone density screening
Screening is generally recommended for women age 65 and older. Some professional organizations also recommend testing for men at age 70, though guidelines differ on this and medical judgment matters. Earlier evaluation is appropriate for anyone with significant risk factors — a prior low-trauma fracture, long-term steroid or bone-affecting medication use, a medical condition that increases bone loss, very low body weight, or a strong family history. A provider can help assess whether screening makes sense for your age and history.
What the DEXA result means
A DEXA scan produces a T-score that compares your bone density to a reference standard. These categories are generally applied to postmenopausal women and men age 50 or older — results in younger adults are interpreted differently and should be reviewed in full clinical context. A normal result is a T-score of -1.0 or above. Osteopenia is typically between -1.0 and -2.5. Osteoporosis is generally defined as -2.5 or below. Certain types of fractures from minor trauma can also establish high fracture risk regardless of the T-score. A provider can help you understand what your result actually means for your situation.
We don't order DEXA scans through our platform — but we can help
MyPhysician360 does not currently order DEXA scans or laboratory testing through this platform. If screening is indicated, a provider can explain what to ask for and help you identify options through primary care, hospital outpatient radiology, or a local health system. If you already have DEXA results, a provider can review them with you in the context of your full history.
Protecting your bones
💪 Prevention and bone health habits that actually matter
The same habits that build bone in younger years help preserve it as you age. None of them are complicated — and a provider can help you understand which ones matter most for your specific situation.
- Calcium and vitamin D For most people, getting calcium through food is preferred over relying on supplements alone, though supplements can help fill gaps when dietary intake is insufficient. A provider can help assess your intake and whether testing or supplementation makes sense for you, particularly if you are being evaluated or treated for osteoporosis.
- Weight-bearing exercise Walking, stair climbing, dancing, and resistance training all help maintain bone strength and — critically — reduce fall risk. The safest and most appropriate exercise program depends on your current bone health, fracture history, balance, and mobility. High-impact exercise may not be appropriate for everyone with established osteoporosis or previous vertebral fractures. A provider can help guide what level of activity is appropriate.
- Smoking and alcohol Tobacco use directly weakens bones. Higher alcohol intake increases both bone loss and fall risk. Both are worth addressing regardless of where your bone density currently stands.
- Medication review If you take long-term steroids or other medications that affect bone health, a provider can review whether bone protection strategies are appropriate. Do not stop a prescribed medication without discussing it with your prescribing clinician.
- Fall prevention Many osteoporosis fractures result from falls, not from bones simply giving out on their own. Reducing fall risk through medication review, vision and hearing care, home safety, and strength and balance work is just as important as protecting bone density. See our Musculoskeletal Health and Vision & Hearing pages for more.
Osteoporosis treatment
💊 When treatment is considered — and what it involves
Not everyone with low bone density needs medication. Whether treatment is appropriate depends on your bone density results, your estimated fracture risk, your medical history, and a provider's clinical judgment — not on a single number. Treatment requires a complete clinical picture, and what is right for one person may not be appropriate for another.
What a provider needs before considering treatment
Osteoporosis treatment is not a simple prescription decision. Depending on your situation, a provider may need to review your DEXA results and fracture history, your kidney function and calcium levels, your vitamin D status, medications you take and their duration, any history of dental problems or planned dental procedures, your ability to take certain medications safely, and whether any underlying conditions may be contributing to bone loss. Some of this information may require recent lab results or records that MP360 cannot order through this platform. A provider will be clear about what is needed before any treatment can be appropriately considered.
A note on osteoporosis medications
Several categories of prescription medication can help reduce fracture risk in appropriate patients. These include medications that slow bone breakdown and, for certain patients with high fracture risk, medications that help build new bone. Each class has specific dosing requirements, precautions, monitoring needs, and considerations around duration and what happens when you stop. Tell your provider about planned tooth extractions, dental implants, or poor healing after dental work before starting osteoporosis medication. A provider can explain the options relevant to your situation and whether any can appropriately be initiated or continued through a telehealth visit. Osteoporosis treatment is a long-term commitment that requires planned follow-up — not a one-time prescription.
Important: Never stop osteoporosis medication without guidance
Some osteoporosis medications should not be stopped abruptly without a clinician-directed plan. Stopping certain medications suddenly can lead to rapid bone loss and increased fracture risk. If you are concerned about a medication you are taking, discuss it with your provider before making any change. If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, tell your provider before starting or continuing any osteoporosis medication.
How we can help
💻 What a telehealth visit for bone health looks like
Most people searching for bone health or osteoporosis information online are not in a crisis — they are trying to figure out what they should be doing. A telehealth visit is a practical place to start that conversation with a licensed provider who can actually review your situation.
| What a telehealth visit can offer | What may require in-person or specialist care |
|---|---|
| Review of your bone health risk factors and history | DEXA scan and bone density measurement — requires imaging facility |
| Discussion of whether bone density screening may be appropriate for your age and situation | Fracture evaluation after injury — requires in-person or emergency assessment |
| Review of existing DEXA results and what they mean in context | IV bisphosphonate infusion and injectable osteoporosis medications — require in-person administration |
| Review of medications that may be affecting your bone health | Complex or severe osteoporosis, secondary causes, or very high-risk situations may benefit from endocrinology, rheumatology, or metabolic bone disease specialist involvement |
| Calcium, vitamin D, exercise, and fall-prevention guidance | Laboratory testing required before or during treatment — MP360 does not currently order labs; the provider will explain what is needed and how to get it |
| Discussion of treatment options and whether they may be appropriate based on your full clinical picture | |
| Discussion of common options for obtaining DEXA testing through primary care or local imaging centers when screening is indicated |
The right starting point for many people
Many people who should be screened for osteoporosis have never had a DEXA scan. Many people with a known diagnosis are not on treatment. And many people on treatment have never had a provider walk them through what their medication involves long-term. A focused telehealth visit with a licensed provider is an efficient way to understand where you stand and what — if anything — needs to happen next.
What we provide
🏪 A licensed provider who takes your bone health seriously
Whether you want to understand your fracture risk, make sense of a DEXA result, find out if you should be screened, or discuss your options for osteoporosis management, a licensed physician or NP can help. We don't order DEXA scans or labs through our platform, but we can help identify what you need and where to get it. Treatment, when a provider determines it is clinically appropriate, may be prescribed electronically. Not every situation will result in a prescription, and that is the right outcome when the clinical picture calls for it.
- ✓Bone health risk review based on your age, history, and medications
- ✓Screening guidance — whether a DEXA scan makes sense for you and where to find one
- ✓Review of existing DEXA results and what they mean
- ✓Calcium, vitamin D, exercise, and fall-prevention guidance
- ✓Treatment discussion — options, what they involve, and what the right next step is for your situation
- ✓No required membership to access our telehealth services
- ✓Visits may be HSA/FSA eligible — check with your plan administrator
Frequently asked questions
❓ Your questions answered
What is the difference between osteoporosis and osteopenia?
Both terms describe bone density measured by a DEXA scan. Osteopenia means bone density is lower than expected but has not yet reached the osteoporosis threshold. Osteoporosis is a more significant level of bone loss that meaningfully increases fracture risk. Neither is a life sentence — both can be addressed with the right combination of lifestyle changes, monitoring, and in some cases, treatment. A provider can help you understand which category you fall into and what that means for you specifically.
When should I get a bone density test?
Screening is generally recommended for women at age 65. For men, recommendations vary by professional organization, and the decision is influenced by individual risk factors. Earlier screening is appropriate for anyone with significant risk factors — a prior fracture from minor injury, long-term steroid use, low body weight, a medical condition affecting bone health, or a strong family history. A provider can review your situation and help you determine whether screening now makes sense, and identify options for where to get it.
Can I discuss osteoporosis treatment with a telehealth provider?
Yes — this is one of the most practical uses of a telehealth bone health visit. A provider can review your DEXA results, fracture history, medications, and overall health picture, and discuss whether treatment is appropriate and what the options are. Whether a prescription can be initiated or continued through a telehealth visit depends on the medication, your history, and what clinical information is available. A provider will be straightforward about what they can do and what requires in-person care or additional evaluation first.
I take prednisone or another steroid long-term. Should I be worried about my bones?
Long-term steroid use is one of the most significant medication-related risk factors for bone loss, and it is one of the most underaddressed. If you take steroids regularly and your bone health has never been discussed with a provider, that is worth raising. A telehealth visit is a practical place to start that conversation — reviewing your risk, discussing whether screening is appropriate, and talking through whether bone protection strategies make sense for your situation.
I already have DEXA results. Can a provider help me understand them?
Absolutely — this is something a telehealth visit is particularly well suited for. DEXA results are often delivered to patients without much context, and a T-score alone does not tell the whole story. A provider can review your results alongside your age, fracture history, medications, and other risk factors to give you a much clearer picture of what your bone density result actually means and what, if anything, you should do about it.
Do men get osteoporosis?
Yes. Men can develop osteoporosis too, particularly with increasing age, long-term steroid use, low testosterone, or other significant risk factors. Hip fractures in men carry a higher risk of serious complications than they do in women. Men with risk factors should not assume they are immune, and it is worth raising the topic with a provider if it has not been discussed.
Is this visit HSA or FSA eligible?
Visits may be eligible — check with your plan administrator to confirm based on your specific plan.
Questions about your bone health? Talk to a licensed provider — from home.
Whether you want to understand your DEXA results, find out if you should be screened, or talk through your options, a licensed physician or NP can help you figure out the right next step.
HSA & FSA eligible — check with your plan administrator | No required membership
Medical disclaimer: The information on this page is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Bone health and osteoporosis management require individualized clinical evaluation. MyPhysician360 does not order DEXA scans or laboratory testing through this platform; if testing is indicated, providers can help identify appropriate options. A suspected fracture, hip injury, inability to bear weight, sudden severe back pain, or back pain with leg weakness or loss of bladder or bowel control requires in-person or emergency evaluation — not a telehealth bone health visit. Whether any specific treatment is appropriate depends on individual health history, bone density results, fracture risk, required pretreatment evaluation, and a licensed provider's clinical judgment; nothing on this page constitutes a guarantee of any prescription, diagnosis, or specific treatment. Never stop or change an osteoporosis medication without guidance from a licensed healthcare provider. Patients who are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding must discuss this before starting or continuing osteoporosis medication. MyPhysician360's ability to provide care depends on the patient's physical location and applicable licensure rules. A licensed MyPhysician360 provider will review your complete health history before making any clinical recommendations. Services are not currently available in Mississippi or Alaska.