Preparing for Your Bone Density Test

Please leave any personal belongings (jewelry, glasses, etc.) at home when having an outpatient exam performed at any of our facilities to avoid misplacement.

Prior to Your Bone Density Test

• Do not take calcium supplements, Tums, Rolaids, Pepcid, Vitamin D, or multivitamins for 24 hours before your appointment. Take your other medications as prescribed.
• You may eat foods that contain calcium.
• Bone density tests must be scheduled before any contrast exam (upper Gl, small bowel follow through, barium enema or CT scan with oral contrast) or wait the following length of time after a contrast study to take a bone density test:
  • 3 full days following CT with injectable contrast
  • 3 full days following MRI with gadolinium
  • 3 full days following a nuclear medicine scan
  • 7 full days for oral contrast/barium

On the Day of Your Bone Density Test

• Please bring your insurance card, a photo ID and any written referral forms provided by your health care provider.
• Remove body piercings located below the neck if possible.
• Do not wear underwire bras or clothing with metal buttons, zippers, metallic paint or threads.
• Please leave any personal belongings (jewelry, glasses, etc.) at home when having an outpatient exam performed at any of our facilities to avoid misplacement.