Serum CTX Test for Osteoporosis By Lifelabs

Strong bones are essential for good health. Osteoporosis is a disease that causes bone loss to occur more quickly than normal resulting in bones becoming thin and weak over time. When this happens, simple tasks such as bending over to pick up a bag, or even minor trauma, can lead to breaks or cracks in the bone.

Theses types of fractures commonly occur to the wrist, shoulder, spine, and hip. It is estimated that 10% of Canadians over the age of 40 have osteoporosis and upwards of 90% of all hip fractures are a result of osteoporosis. While women are four times more likely than men to develop osteoporosis, anyone at any age can be at risk.

Today, no single cause for osteoporosis has been identified. Unfortunately, because screening for osteoporosis frequently occurs as the result of a bone break or fracture, by this time the disease is already fairly advanced and less treatable. Early detection is critical to prevent, delay, or reduce the onset of osteoporosis.

Serum CTX Test: Osteoporosis is a significant reduction in bone mass due to loss of proteins and minerals, such as calcium. This results from an imbalance between the naturally occurring processes of bone formation and breakdown – a cycle also known as bone-turnover.

Serum C-telopeptide (CTX) test measures the amount of degraded bone circulating in the bloodstream by detecting the C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen – a protein component of bone. Serum CTX can detect relevant changes in a bone breakdown in as little as a few months, unlike a bone mass density test which requires several years to generate a measurable output.

How to Get Tested? : Testing is completed by LifeLabs at a Patient Service Centre or via our mobile lab service (available in select cities) through a simple blood sample. You will require a completed test requisition from your healthcare provider. Fasting is required for this test and you are encouraged to book an appointment to reduce your waiting time. Please refer to our fasting procedures on how to properly prepare this test.