There is no consensus on the optimal frequency of monitoring and preferred site to monitor (UpToDate – Guidelines for monitoring response to therapy)

• Recommendations range from against monitoring (ACP) to every one to two years
• Don’t routinely repeat DXA scans more often than once every two years – ChoosingWisely (American College of Rheumatology)

Bone density changes slowly and the magnitude of change over a shorter durations may be due to measurement error. Thus, bone density should be checked when the results influence clinical management or at the point of a significant expected change in bone mineral density.

Our expert opinion: We recommend considering a check of BMD in 1 years and again at the completion of therapy. You could also check at completion of therapy (2 years)

Note that BMD is expected to slightly decrease with teriparatide or abaloparatide!