This test is ideal if you're concerned about bone health, especially if you're a postmenopausal woman at risk for osteoporosis or already receiving treatment for bone loss. It helps monitor how quickly your bones are breaking down and can predict your response to bone-strengthening medications. Many people use this test to track whether their bone health treatment is working effectively or to assess their risk of future bone fractures.
What's included in this test?
This test measures N-Telopeptide (NTx), a biomarker released into your bloodstream when bone tissue breaks down. Elevated levels indicate increased bone resorption, which can help predict bone mineral density loss and assess your risk for osteoporosis. This measurement is particularly valuable for monitoring how well bone-protective treatments are working and determining if you're likely to lose bone mass over the coming year.
What happens after I get my results?
You'll receive doctor notes in simple language explaining what your bone breakdown levels mean for your skeletal health and fracture risk. These notes include personalized recommendations such as dietary changes, calcium and vitamin D supplementation, weight-bearing exercises, or whether you should discuss medication adjustments with your doctor. You'll also get the standard lab report and can track your N-Telopeptide levels over time using our trends feature to see how your bone health interventions are working.
Who should consider getting this test?
This test is especially important for postmenopausal women at risk for osteoporosis, those already on bone-strengthening medications like bisphosphonates or hormone therapy, and anyone with a family history of bone fractures. It's also helpful if you have conditions that affect bone health, such as early menopause, prolonged steroid use, or hyperthyroidism, or if you want to establish a baseline before starting osteoporosis treatment.
What symptoms indicate I may need this test?
While bone loss often has no obvious symptoms early on, you should consider this test if you've experienced bone fractures from minor injuries, have noticed a loss of height, or developed a stooped posture. Other signs include a family history of osteoporosis, being postmenopausal, having gone through early menopause, or experiencing conditions that weaken bones like prolonged steroid use or thyroid disorders.
How can I naturally support my bone health?
Supporting bone health starts with ensuring adequate calcium intake through dairy products, leafy greens, and fortified foods, along with vitamin D from sunlight, fatty fish, or supplements. Regular weight-bearing exercises like walking, jogging, or strength training help stimulate bone formation and slow bone loss. Limiting alcohol consumption, quitting smoking, and reducing caffeine intake can also help preserve bone density.
What is N-Telopeptide and why does it matter?
N-Telopeptide (NTx) is a protein fragment released into your bloodstream when bone tissue is broken down by your body. Your bones are constantly remodeling through breakdown and rebuilding, but when breakdown happens too quickly, it can lead to weak bones and increased fracture risk. Measuring NTx levels helps assess how fast your bones are deteriorating and whether treatments to slow bone loss are working effectively.
What does high N-Telopeptide mean?
High N-Telopeptide levels indicate that bone breakdown is happening at an increased rate, which means you may be losing bone mass faster than your body can rebuild it. This can suggest a higher risk of developing osteoporosis or experiencing bone fractures in the future. Elevated levels may mean you need to start or adjust bone-protective treatments, increase calcium and vitamin D intake, or make lifestyle changes to slow bone loss.
What causes elevated N-Telopeptide levels?
Elevated N-Telopeptide can be caused by menopause and declining estrogen levels, which accelerate bone loss in women. Other causes include hyperthyroidism, hyperparathyroidism, prolonged use of corticosteroid medications, vitamin D deficiency, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, and conditions like Paget's disease or bone metastases. Inadequate calcium intake and sedentary lifestyle can also contribute to increased bone breakdown.
How often should I retest my N-Telopeptide levels?
If you're starting bone-protective treatment, your doctor may recommend retesting after 3-6 months to see if the medication is effectively reducing bone breakdown. Once your levels are stable and treatment is working well, annual testing is typically sufficient for ongoing monitoring. If you're establishing a baseline before treatment or assessing initial risk, your doctor may suggest retesting in 6-12 months depending on your individual risk factors.
How’s this work?
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Is it possible to make changes to my lab order if I made a mistake with the name, date of birth, or any other details?
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Only HSA & FSA is accepted.
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Before you proceed with your order, feel free to browse through all our lab locations here. This will give you the peace of mind of knowing that there's a lab nearby your home, office or your favorite gym.
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Demo results
N-Telopeptide (NTx)22 nM BCE
Demo results
LowOptimal 5 - 19High
22 nM BCE
What this means
Your N-Telopeptide level is elevated, indicating that bone breakdown is happening at a faster rate than ideal. This suggests you may be losing bone mass more quickly, which can increase your risk of osteoporosis and fractures over time. This level warrants attention and may benefit from interventions to slow bone loss.
Recommended actions
Ensure adequate daily calcium intake (1200mg for postmenopausal women) through dairy, leafy greens, or supplements
Get sufficient vitamin D through sunlight, fatty fish, or supplementation (aim for 800-1000 IU daily)
Incorporate weight-bearing exercises like walking, jogging, or resistance training 3-4 times per week
Discuss bone-protective medication options with your doctor if not already on treatment
Retest in 3-6 months to monitor trends and treatment effectiveness
* Regular blood test results (e.g., CBC) typically start arriving the next business day after sample collection. More complex tests, such as hormone panels, may take up to 10–15 business days due to their complexity.
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