Hi Matilda, I don't know about mineral testing but in order to get a judgment on your bone "quality" as opposed to "density", get an Echolight REMS ultrasound scan. REMS is the new scanning device that will most likely overtake DEXA due to all the inaccuracy issues with DEXA's large margin of error. The REMS is an ultrasound not an xray so there's no radiation. It has a tiny margin of error (.5 - 1%) as opposed to DEXA's margin of error of 3 - 5% (plus all the possible errors the technician can make in placing the person and the machine to machine inconsistencies.) REMS provides a BMD t-score just like the DEXA and it also provides a "bone quality" score stated as a risk of fracture over the next 5 years. Unlike DEXA the ultrasound is able to look all the way through the bone, scanning the internal microarchitecture of the bone. The quality of this internal microarchitecture can make up for lower bone density in the outer cortical layer, so it's really good to know the quality of this. And the research is showing that the REMS Fracture Risk score is the best predictor of fracturing. The only problem is that there are only maybe a dozen REMS scanners so far around the US. It got started in Europe and is now their gold standard for scanning bone, and it is slowly getting accepted around the US. It is FDA-approved. The locations I know of that have REMS scanners are:
OsteoSmart in Hinsdale, IL +16309225071
OsteoStrong in Wilmette, IL +12244878833
StrengthX in Black Mountain, NC +18285057200
CentralCarolinaOrtho.com +19197741355 with Dr Andrew Bush who is revolutionizing osteoporosis care
Arthritis and Osteoporosis Clinic of Brazos Valley, College Station, TX 979-696-8000
Rheumatology Assoc of Delmarva, Easton, MD 410-819-6545
Xbody Health, Wellness and Spa, Wayne, NJ 973-692-9780