Bone profile blood test – all you need to know
A bone profile blood test identifies the minerals, enzymes, and protein in the bones. This information helps the doctor to understand your health and bone development. The result of a bone profile test can determine your risks of bone cancers and diseases.
Blood test and your bone health
The blood carries vitamins, oxygen, electrolytes and even energy around the body, meaning it is in contact with all tissues and organs. This makes your blood highly valuable to your doctor and healthcare providers for determining your health. Examining the blood can show what is happening in different body parts.
Your blood can also determine your bone health. Your doctor can determine if your skeletal structure is compromised with blood analysis.
What is a bone profile blood test?
A bone profile blood test can measure minerals, proteins and enzymes in the bone. It is an important test that monitors bone health and ensures the bones are repairing and developing properly.
You need healthy bones to maintain a good posture, movement, and overall well-being, and ageing weakens the bones. This makes getting a bone profile test as you grow older important.
In addition to general health, a bone profile blood helps identify and monitor the following conditions.
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Osteoporosis
This condition affects about three million people in the UK. It makes the bone brittle and fragile, increasing the risk of fractures. Ageing makes the bone lose density, but the loss of bone density also results from hormone problems, heavy drinking and eating disorders.
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Paget’s disease of the bone
Paget’s disease of the bone is a common condition affecting bone renewal or turnover, meaning the regrowth of bone tissues. If the doctor thinks you have this condition, you may need testing for vitamin D.
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Bone cancer
Bone cancer is a rare condition characterised by swelling, lumps and bone pain. This condition causes the bone to break easily.
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Liver disease and thyroid problems
A bone profile blood test can diagnose issues with the parathyroid and thyroid glands. These glands play a vital role in maintaining phosphorus and calcium levels. The test can also identify liver problems since the liver produces many proteins and enzymes.
What can a bone profile test check for, and what is the normal result range?
A bone profile test aids in monitoring bone conditions and diseases that do not directly link to the bone. If you want to undergo the test, you may want to know the exact minerals the bone profile test checks for.
A bone profile test measures four important minerals. Below is the bone profile blood test results explained.
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Calcium
A bone profile test measures the level of calcium in the blood. This mineral is essential for bone health. The normal level of calcium is 2.2 – 2.6 mmol/L.
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Alkaline phosphatase (ALP)
ALP is present in the liver cells and bone. Determining the level of ALP is essential in diagnosing liver disease and bone disorder. Its normal range in adults is 30 – 130 u/L.
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Albumin
The liver synthesises albumin, but low albumin levels may indicate low bone density, a symptom of osteoporosis. The normal range of albumin is 35 – 50g/L.
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Phosphate
These are chemical derivatives of phosphorus, a macro mineral essential for bone development. The normal range is 0.74 – 1.4mmol/L.
Your bone profile test may also test for globulin, total protein and urea.
Important points about bone profile blood testing
A nurse, doctor or another healthcare provider will draw your blood sample into a small tube and send it to a laboratory for analysis. The turnaround time is 3 – 4 days. Fasting before a bone profile test isn’t necessary.
If you are on calcium supplements, ensure you inform your doctor because you may need to stop for a few days before your test. You also need to inform your doctor if you take any mineral or vitamin supplements as they may affect your result.
You can get the bone profile blood test at Private Blood Tests London to determine your bone and overall health. Contact us today on 020 7183 0244 to book an appointment for your test.
Frequently asked questions
How will I get the bone profile blood test?
Like any blood test, the doctor will draw your blood sample with a syringe and needle for the bone profile blood test. Fasting before the blood draw isn’t necessary like in other blood tests.
What do I need for the bone profile blood test?
The blood is vital for transporting oxygen, vitamins, nutrients, and minerals to all body cells, and it also runs through the bones, making it perfect for determining bone health. The skeleton is responsible for holding you up, so understanding its health is important. A bone profile test can identify the risk of bone cancer or disease.
What can a bone profile test identify?
The bone profile blood test can identify the disease and conditions such as Paget’s disease of bone, osteoporosis, and issues with the liver and thyroid.
When can I get a bone profile blood test?
Your doctor will recommend a bone profile blood test if the doctor suspects a bone disease or condition or during a comprehensive health assessment.
