Bone loss is silent. Testing isn't.
Women lose up to 20% of bone density in the 5-7 years after menopause.
This panel tracks bone turnover markers, calcium metabolism, parathyroid function, and vitamin D — giving you a dynamic picture of bone health that a DEXA scan alone can't provide.
Why this matters for women
Osteoporosis isn't just an "old woman's disease." Bone density peaks in your late 20s, and after that, you're either maintaining or losing. The rapid bone loss that occurs during and after menopause (due to declining estrogen) means that women who enter menopause with suboptimal bone density are at serious risk. But here's what most women don't know: you can detect bone loss with blood markers years before a DEXA scan shows it. CTx (C-terminal telopeptide) measures collagen breakdown — it's essentially measuring how fast your bones are dissolving in real-time. Alkaline phosphatase shows bone formation activity. PTH (parathyroid hormone) reveals whether your body is pulling calcium from your bones. And vitamin D and magnesium are the nutrients your bones need most. Together, these markers give you a dynamic, actionable picture — not just a snapshot — of your bone health.
Symptoms to watch for
What we test
Calcium
The primary mineral in bone. Blood calcium is tightly regulated — your body will pull calcium from bones to maintain blood levels. Normal blood calcium doesn't mean your bones have enough.
Phosphate
Works with calcium for bone mineralization. The calcium-to-phosphate ratio is important — imbalances can accelerate bone loss.
Alkaline Phosphatase
An enzyme produced by bone-building cells (osteoblasts). Elevated levels indicate active bone turnover — either formation or destruction — and help assess bone metabolism.
Magnesium RBC
Essential for bone density — 60% of your body's magnesium is stored in bones. Deficiency weakens the bone matrix and impairs calcium absorption. Most women are deficient.
PTH
Parathyroid hormone regulates calcium balance. Elevated PTH means your body is pulling calcium from bones to maintain blood levels — a sign of vitamin D deficiency or parathyroid dysfunction.
CTx (Bone Loss)
C-terminal telopeptide — a direct measure of bone collagen breakdown. High CTx means your bones are actively losing density. This marker changes faster than DEXA results, making it ideal for monitoring.
Uric Acid
Linked to gout (a painful joint condition) and inflammatory joint disease. Elevated uric acid can cause crystal deposits in joints, leading to sudden, severe joint pain.
Vitamin D
Critical for calcium absorption — without adequate vitamin D, your body absorbs only 10-15% of dietary calcium. Deficiency is extremely common and directly contributes to bone loss.
Who should consider this panel
- Women approaching or in menopause
- Anyone with a family history of osteoporosis
- Women who've had early menopause or surgical menopause
- Those with a history of eating disorders or very low body weight
- Women experiencing joint pain, stiffness, or muscle cramps
Cited sources
Management of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women: the 2021 position statement of The North American Menopause Society
The North American Menopause Society. Menopause, 2021.
Calcium plus vitamin D supplementation and the risk of fractures
Jackson RD, et al. New England Journal of Medicine, 2006.
Bone turnover markers: use in osteoporosis
Naylor K, et al. Nature Reviews Rheumatology, 2012.
Don't wait for a fracture to find out. Protect your bones now.