Bone Health
before a DEXA scan tells you it's already happening.
Bone turnover (CTx), parathyroid hormone, vitamin D, phosphate and the magnesium status that governs mineralization. Catches accelerated loss years before bone-density imaging changes — and tells you whether the cause is intake, hormones or kidney handling.
- No insurance required
- HSA & FSA eligible
- CLIA-accredited labs
Women lose up to 20% of their bone density in the five years after menopause — usually with a normal-looking serum calcium.
Estrogen restrains the cells that break down bone. When estrogen drops, resorption accelerates and the body pulls calcium from bone to keep blood levels stable — so a normal CMP calcium says nothing about bone reserve. CTx (a collagen breakdown fragment) and PTH together reveal whether resorption is outrunning formation, months to years before a DEXA T-score shifts. 1 in 2 women over 50 will fracture from osteoporosis in her lifetime; this panel exists to catch the trajectory while it's still reversible.
The 59 biomarkers in this panel - and why each one.
Tap a marker to read the clinical note and the women-specific context.
Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy
25-hydroxyvitamin D is the storage form of vitamin D and the best index of overall vitamin D status.
PTH, Intact without Calcium
Parathyroid hormone, the master regulator of calcium and bone turnover.
Collagen Type I C-Telopeptide (CTx)
Bone resorption marker reflecting active breakdown of type I collagen.
Phosphate (as Phosphorus)
Serum phosphorus, tightly co-regulated with calcium by parathyroid hormone and vitamin D.
Magnesium, RBC
Red blood cell magnesium — a better measure of tissue magnesium stores than serum.
Uric Acid
End product of purine metabolism; elevated by fructose, alcohol, and high-protein diets; the driver of gout.
White Blood Cell Count
Total count of white blood cells; the front-line defense of the immune system.
Red Blood Cell Count
Total red blood cell count; used alongside hemoglobin and hematocrit to assess anemia.
Hemoglobin
The oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells; the primary measure of anemia severity.
Hematocrit
The fraction of blood volume occupied by red blood cells.
MCV
Mean corpuscular volume — the average size of red blood cells; elevated in B12/folate deficiency, low in iron deficiency.
MCH
Mean corpuscular hemoglobin — the average amount of hemoglobin per red cell; low MCH is an early signal of iron depletion.
MCHC
Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration — classic for iron-deficiency anemia when low.
RDW
Red cell distribution width — measures variability in red cell size; elevated RDW reflects oxidative stress and mixed deficiencies.
Platelet Count
The circulating particles that initiate clotting; low counts increase bleeding risk, high counts can reflect inflammation or iron deficiency.
MPV
Mean platelet volume — larger platelets are more reactive; elevated MPV is associated with cardiovascular and thrombotic risk.
Absolute Neutrophils
Absolute count of neutrophils — the first responders to bacterial infection.
Absolute Band Neutrophils
Immature neutrophils (bands) — elevated counts (left shift) indicate acute bacterial infection or bone marrow stress.
Absolute Metamyelocytes
Immature granulocyte precursors; presence in blood indicates bone marrow stress or severe infection.
Absolute Myelocytes
Granulocyte precursors; circulating myelocytes indicate abnormal bone marrow release.
Absolute Promyelocytes
Very early granulocyte precursors; their presence in blood is abnormal and requires urgent evaluation.
Absolute Lymphocytes
Absolute count of lymphocytes — key mediators of adaptive immunity including T and B cells.
Absolute Monocytes
Absolute monocytes; these differentiate into macrophages and dendritic cells in tissue.
Absolute Eosinophils
Absolute eosinophils; respond to allergic reactions and parasitic infections.
Absolute Basophils
Absolute basophils — the rarest white cell, involved in allergic and inflammatory responses.
Absolute Blasts
Blast cells in peripheral blood; any presence is abnormal and requires immediate haematology referral.
Absolute Nucleated RBC
Nucleated red blood cells in peripheral blood; normally only present in foetal circulation and severe anaemia.
Neutrophils %
Percentage of neutrophils in the white cell differential; elevated in bacterial infection and stress.
Band Neutrophils %
Percentage of band (immature) neutrophils; elevated in acute bacterial infection.
Metamyelocytes %
Percentage of metamyelocytes; should be absent from normal peripheral blood.
Myelocytes %
Percentage of myelocytes; absent from normal blood.
Promyelocytes %
Percentage of promyelocytes; absent from normal blood.
Lymphocytes %
Percentage of lymphocytes in the white cell differential; reflects adaptive immunity.
Reactive Lymphocytes %
Atypical (reactive) lymphocytes; elevated in viral infections such as EBV and CMV.
Monocytes %
Percentage of monocytes; elevated in chronic infections and inflammatory conditions.
Eosinophils %
Percentage of eosinophils; elevated in allergic and parasitic conditions.
Basophils %
Percentage of basophils; mildly elevated counts can accompany allergic inflammation or thyroid disease.
Blasts %
Percentage of blasts; absent from normal blood. Any presence requires urgent evaluation.
Nucleated RBC %
Nucleated RBCs per 100 WBCs; should be absent in normal adults.
CBC Comment
Pathologist or automated comment on peripheral blood findings.
Glucose
Fasting serum glucose — the primary screen for diabetes and metabolic dysfunction.
Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
Blood urea nitrogen — a kidney filtration marker; elevated with dehydration or renal impairment.
Creatinine
Muscle waste product filtered by the kidneys; used to estimate GFR.
eGFR
Estimated glomerular filtration rate — the best single-number indicator of kidney function, calculated from creatinine using CKD-EPI.
BUN/Creatinine Ratio
The ratio of BUN to creatinine; helps distinguish pre-renal from intrinsic kidney causes of elevated BUN.
Sodium
Primary extracellular cation; regulates fluid balance and nerve/muscle function.
Potassium
Primary intracellular cation; critical for heart rhythm, muscle contraction, and nerve signalling.
Chloride
The main anion that balances sodium; used to evaluate acid-base and electrolyte status.
Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)
Serum bicarbonate reflecting the body's acid-base reserve; low values can indicate metabolic acidosis.
Calcium
Total serum calcium; critical for bone density, muscle contraction, and nerve signalling.
Protein, Total
Total serum protein (albumin + globulins); reflects overall nutritional status and liver and immune function.
Albumin
The most abundant serum protein; reflects liver synthetic function, nutrition, and systemic inflammation.
Globulin
Calculated globulin fraction (total protein minus albumin); includes immunoglobulins, clotting factors, and transport proteins.
Albumin/Globulin Ratio
The A/G ratio; a low ratio (reversed) can indicate autoimmune disease, liver disease, or malignancy.
Bilirubin, Total
The breakdown product of haemoglobin; elevated in liver disease, haemolysis, or bile duct obstruction.
Alkaline Phosphatase
Enzyme produced in liver and bone; elevated in cholestasis, bone disease, and pregnancy.
AST
Aspartate aminotransferase — liver and muscle enzyme; elevated with hepatocellular damage or intense exercise.
ALT
Alanine aminotransferase — the most specific liver enzyme; elevated in hepatitis, fatty liver, and medication toxicity.
hs-CRP
High-sensitivity C-reactive protein — the most sensitive blood measure of systemic low-grade inflammation.
Order this panel if any of these fit.
- 1You're approaching or past menopause and want a turnover baseline
- 2You have a parent with osteoporosis or a history of fragility fracture
- 3You've been on long-term PPIs, SSRIs, steroids or aromatase inhibitors
- 4You've already had a DEXA and want to track change between scans
Three steps, no waiting room.
Choose your panel and complete a 2-minute intake. We schedule your lab visit or at-home phlebotomy appointment right after checkout.
Choose a Quest Diagnostics lab visit or have a certified phlebotomist come to you (available in select ZIP codes at checkout). Draws take about 8 minutes.
Results in 5–7 days - a plain-language report with research-backed ranges for women and flags on anything that warrants follow-up. Share with your own clinician for interpretation.
Things people ask before ordering.
No — DEXA measures density at a moment in time. This panel measures rate of change. They answer different questions and are most useful together.
Claims on this page are grounded in peer-reviewed research and society guidelines.
- [1]Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation: Osteoporosis Fast Facts.BHOF
- [2]Greendale GA et al. Bone mineral density loss in relation to the final menstrual period in a multiethnic cohort (SWAN).J Bone Miner Res, 2012
- [3]Holick MF. Vitamin D deficiency.NEJM, 2007
- [4]Naylor K, Eastell R. Bone turnover markers: use in osteoporosis.Nat Rev Rheumatol, 2012
EllaDx panels are not a substitute for medical diagnosis. All results are reviewed by a licensed physician. Always consult a qualified clinician about changes to your care.