<s>[INST] I had an osteoporosis test at a health fair. How accurate is that? [/INST] Many health fairs or pharmacies offer screening using machines that measure the heel bone, fingers, or wrist. Some machines are ultrasound and some are X-ray. Since osteoporosis is a systemic disease, these screenings can be a good indicator of the bones in the rest of your body, but remember it is only a screening. You should have a bone density test of your hip and spine on a table DXA to confirm the screening results.

Since the bone in the heel, wrist and fingers change more slowly, they are not suitable for monitoring changes in the skeleton or following treatment. Source: American Bone Health. Link: https://americanbonehealth.org/frequently-asked-questions/. Field: Rheumatology. Disease: Ostoeporosis </s>