Bone Formation Markers Test

The test measures the levels of ostase, osteocalcin, P1NP, calcitonin, and Vitamin D in the blood.

• To assess the risk of fractures or bone disorders
• To assess the bone status in those receiving treatment [eg. osteoporotic patients]
• To judge response to anti-resorption or bone formation therapies in a much shorter time period than the X-ray types of bone density testing.
• In children it is mainly used to detect metabolic bone disorders like rickets, Paget’s disease, and secondary osteoporosis.

People with the following symptoms:

• Frequent bone pain
• Frequent falls with risk of fractures
• History of osteoporosis, Paget’s disease or any bone disorder
• Patients receiving drug therapy for bone disorders: To monitor the treatment effectiveness.

This test requires a blood sample. A tourniquet (elastic) band is placed tightly on the upper arm. The patient is then asked to make a fist. This helps in the build-up of blood filling the veins. The skin is disinfected before needle insertion and the blood sample is collected in vacutainer.

No special precautions required.

Vitamin D: 

Low levels indicate vitamin D deficiencies. Low levels may also occur in liver or kidney diseases, certain malabsorption syndromes and in association with calcium or magnesium deficiencies.

High vitamin D levels although rare may indicate toxicity.

Osteocalcin:

Elevated osteocalcin occurs in osteomalacia, Paget’s disease of bone, healing fracture, osteogenic sarcoma, adequate therapy for osteoporosis, primary hyperthyroidism, renal osteodystrophy and post-menopausal osteoporosis.

Decreased levels are seen in hypoparathyroidism, Cushing’s syndrome and long term corticosteroid therapy.

P1NP:

Significantly elevated levels may be associated with presence of metastatic bone disease and renal insufficiency

• Ostase test
• Osteocalcin test
• P1NP test
• Calcitonin test
• Vitamin D test

• To detect vitamin D deficiencies
• To monitor the effectiveness in those receiving oral vitamin D therapy [post 12 weeks to 3 months]

• It is a specific indicator of type 1 collagen deposition and is defined as a true bone formation marker.
•  It is particularly useful for monitoring bone formation therapies (in post-menopausal osteoporosis, Paget’s disease etc) and antiresorptive therapies.

• It is a protein formed by the osteoblasts and its level in blood indicates the osteoblastic activity.