Osteoporosis Screening

A bone health panel measuring 6 markers: calcium, vitamin D3, osteocalcin, beta-crosslinks (urine), PTH (parathyroid hormone), and creatinine. Combines bone formation markers with resorption markers to assess whether bone is being lost faster than it is being rebuilt. PTH and vitamin D3 reveal whether calcium metabolism is properly regulated.

Osteoporosis develops silently over years, and bone density scans capture only the cumulative result. Blood and urine markers provide dynamic information about current bone turnover — whether bone is actively being lost or built — enabling early intervention before significant density reduction occurs. Osteocalcin is produced by osteoblasts (bone-forming cells) and reflects the rate of new bone construction. Beta-crosslinks in urine are fragments released during bone resorption by osteoclasts. The balance between these formation and resorption markers indicates net bone status. PTH regulates calcium by controlling its release from bone, kidney reabsorption, and gut absorption. Elevated PTH with low vitamin D indicates secondary hyperparathyroidism, where the body mobilises calcium from bone stores to maintain blood levels. Vitamin D3 is essential for intestinal calcium absorption and is deficient in a large proportion of the northern European population. Calcium and creatinine complete the assessment: calcium for circulating levels and creatinine for kidney function, which affects both vitamin D activation and calcium excretion. This panel is particularly relevant for postmenopausal women, men over 60, individuals on long-term corticosteroids, and anyone with a family history of osteoporotic fractures.