Bone Profile Blood Test | Bone Health Test | Quest®

Bone Health Test Panel

Measure key biomarkers in your blood that can help you and your healthcare provider assess bone health. Untreated abnormal levels of these markers can indicate poor bone quality/health and may progress to bone diseases, such as osteoporosis. Read more

Test details

Sample type:

Blood

Preparation:

Fasting (10-12 hours without food) is preferred, but not required.

Test type: In Person

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$149.00

+ $6.00 Physician Service Fee

Quantity

About the Test

This bone health test panel measures the levels of calcium, vitamin D, and parathyroid hormone (PTH) in your blood. These biomarkers help maintain bone health and can be used to indicate bone quality. Testing these blood levels, in addition to bone density scans, can help you and your healthcare provider assess bone health, and help determine whether any next steps, such as additional testing, are necessary. Some bone loss cannot be avoided over a lifetime, but good nutrition and exercise are essential for better bone health. Research shows that the prevalence of low bone mass in adults aged 50 and over was 43.1%, and 12.6% for osteoporosis.¹ Osteoporosis is a condition when bone strength weakens due to low bone mineral density or bone mass and is susceptible to fracture, usually affecting the hips, wrists, and spine. When comparing the occurrence in men and women, both low bone mass and osteoporosis are significantly higher in women due to low estrogen and accelerated bone loss after menopause.

Note: This test does not diagnose if you have osteoporosis. Only your doctor can diagnose osteoporosis or any other health condition related to bone health. Further testing may be required for your doctor to provide a diagnosis for osteoporosis.

Buy your own bone health test online with Quest. No doctor’s visit required – simply purchase, and access bone health testing at a nearby location.

This bone health panel may be right for you if you have identified any of the following risk factors for poor bone health or conditions such as osteoporosis:

Age - Risk increases with age
Sex - Risk is higher for women
Body size – Risk is greater for those who are slender, thin-boned
Race – White women, Asian women, and white men are at higher risk than other races
Family history of osteoporosis or hip fractures
Changes to hormones – Low levels of estrogen or testosterone
Diet – Low calcium or vitamin D levels, excessive dieting, or low protein intake
Medical conditions – Endocrine and hormonal diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, certain types of cancer, HIV/AIDS, and anorexia nervosa
Medications – Long term use of anabolic steroids, antiepileptic medicines, cancer medications, proton pump inhibitors, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and thiazolidinediones
Lifestyle risk factors - smoking, excessive drinking, sedentary lifestyle, etc.

This test panel measures the following levels in your blood that are commonly evaluated to assess bone health:

Calcium is an essential mineral needed in our bodies. It is the most abundant mineral found in the body and plays an important role in keeping your heart and muscles functioning normally. Calcium also helps keep bones and teeth strong and helps move blood through blood vessels through the body.

If you don’t eat enough calcium-rich foods, or if your body doesn’t store or absorb enough of it, you may have low levels. Too much or too little calcium may lead to a variety of symptoms including, but limited to, headache, fatigue, irregular heartbeat, joint pain, constipation, and vomiting.

This test measures the amount of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, an indicator for the level of Vitamin D in your body. Vitamin D is involved in regulating calcium and phosphorus, which are essential nutrients to promote bone strength and cellular health. Vitamin D can also help the immune system fight infections. Your body produces Vitamin D after exposure to sunlight or from consuming certain foods and supplements.

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is created in the parathyroid gland when there are low levels of calcium in the blood. PTH helps control calcium, vitamin D, and other nutrient levels in the body, that affect the bones, kidneys, and small intestine. Abnormal levels of PTH can disrupt calcium levels in the blood, which may lead to osteoporosis and other symptoms or conditions.

Signs and symptoms of poor bone health may be hard to recognize or go unnoticed until a bone is broken, but could include:

Severe back pain
Loss of height
Spine malformations, like a stooped or hunched posture
Bone fractures or broken bones from minor incidents (ie, minor falls, bending, lifting, coughing)

You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase a test on questhealth.com. Purchases not permitted in: AK, AZ, HI.

Fasting (10-12 hours without food) is preferred, but not required.

After you provide your specimen, it generally takes few business days to process and release your test results. However, processing times may vary. Your test results will be available in a clear and easy-to-read report. If your results differ from expected ranges, you may receive an alert call from an independent healthcare coordinator. Independent physicians are available to discuss questions or concerns you may have regarding your results.

How it works

questhealth.com offers 100+ consumer-initiated Quest Diagnostics lab tests to empower you to have more control over your health journey. Choose from a variety of test types that best suit your needs.

In-person
In-home sample collection

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No doctor visit required for purchase. Book a visit to one of 2000+ Quest locations.

Schedule an appointment

Visit Quest for sample collection

Complete your test sample collection during your scheduled appointment.

Get fast results online

Access results online as soon as they’re available.

View results

Get physician support

Discuss your results with an independent physician at no extra cost.

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+ in-home sample collection

If in-home service is available in your area, purchase for an additional $79 fee.

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Schedule an appointment

After you make a purchase, Quest Mobile will contact you to schedule an in-home sample collection appointment.

In-home sample collection

A Quest Mobile phlebotomist will collect your sample and deliver it to Quest Diagnostics.

Get fast results online

Access results online as soon as they’re available. Discuss your results with an independent physician at no extra cost.

View results

In-home sample collection is not available in all locations.
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FAQs

What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a condition when bone strength weakens due to low bone mineral density or bone mass and is susceptible to fracture, usually affecting the hips, wrists, and spine. Data from the 2017-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey reported that the prevalence of osteoporosis in adults aged 50 and over was 12.6%. It also showed a 43.1% prevalence rate for low bone mass, which is a precursor of osteoporosis. When comparing the prevalence in men and women, both low bone mass and osteoporosis are significantly higher in women due to low estrogen and accelerated bone loss after menopause.

What is hyperparathyroidism and how is it related to osteoporosis?

Hyperparathyroidism is overproduction of parathyroid hormone (PTH). It is a frequently diagnosed endocrine disorder and is the most common cause of elevated calcium levels. Bone pain, fractures, and osteoporosis are common symptoms of hyperparathyroidism.

Can I use my FSA or HSA funds to purchase tests on questhealth.com?

You may be able to use your FSA or HSA funds to purchase lab tests at questhealth.com. Please review your FSA/HSA plan or check with a tax professional to confirm specific requirements for individual eligibility.

Our references

Tests purchased on questhealth.com are only for individuals who intend to pay directly for testing and do not want to submit a claim for reimbursement under their health insurance.

Bone Health Test Panel