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Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Osteoporosis

Diagnosis & Tests

How is the condition diagnosed?

Osteoporosis may be discovered in an X-ray taken for some other problem. X-rays should not be used as the only test. Other tests are more sensitive and reliable, such as the following:

blood bone markers, which measure collagen protein in the bone

bone mineral density scans, such as DEXA scans and spinal CT scans

spinal X-rays, which may show vertebral compression fractures of the spine

tests for serum osteocalcin, which is a marker of bone formation

tests that measure calcium in the urine, which increases in a person who has osteoporosis

At this time, the most commonly used and reliable test is the DEXA scan.

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