Biochemical markers of bone metabolism (BTM) determined from the blood allow doctors to more accurately select therapies and drugs for the needs of a particular patient suffering from osteoporosis. They also turn out to be useful in implementing appropriate prophylaxis in people at increased risk of this disease, as well as in other ailments.
BTMresearch proves to be useful where other methods are not as effective. Densitometry (i.e. bone density testing) and quantitative ultrasound allow you to assess the condition of the bone mass at a given moment. These tests are important in prophylaxis, but in the treatment process they have their limitations: they do not allow, for example, to check the effectiveness of the therapy used earlier than in six months or even a year, because it is so long to wait for changes in the bone tissue and their visualization in the examination. pictorial. A simple laboratory test ensures a much more precise and faster monitoring of the effects of treatment: determination of a blood samplemarkers of bone metabolism (BTM) .
What are bone metabolism markers?
These are specific proteins or enzymes released by osteogenic (markers of bone formation) and osteogenic cells (markers of resorption). By using BTM as a supplement to imaging tests, the doctor can more precisely estimate the rate of bone loss, which allows you to start treatment at the optimal time, individualize it, and monitor the effectiveness of the therapy on an ongoing basis. The BTM test is not reimbursed, the package consisting of the bone formation marker, bone resorption marker and vitamin D level costs about PLN 200.
Who should perform the BTM test?
Testing a sample of bone metabolism markers from the blood is important both for people who have already developed symptoms of osteoporosis - most often osteoporotic fractures - and for prophylaxis - early selection of patients at risk of osteoporosis. The BTM examination also enables the selection of the appropriate form of therapy for a specific patient (one of three types of drugs is selected: anabolic, anti-resorptive or mixed) and monitoring the effectiveness of treatment and - if necessary - its modification.
It is worth adding thatBTM examination will prove useful not only in the treatment of osteoporosis, but also in other cases: Paget's disease, endocrinopathies, osteomalacia or neoplastic diseases, e.g. myeloma.