Bone biomarkers are simple blood or urine tests that measure bone turnover: the rate at which your bones are breaking down and rebuilding. They offer something the DEXA scan can’t—real-time insight into your bone metabolism.

Whether you’re using medication, supplements, exercise, or a gut-focused healing plan, these tests can help you assess your progress months before structural changes appear on a DEXA scan.

What Are Bone Biomarkers?

Bone biomarkers are biological indicators that reflect your current rate of bone remodeling—the natural process where old bone is broken down and new bone is formed.

They fall into two key categories:

Bone Formation Markers (showing how much bone is being built):

• • P1NP (Procollagen Type 1 N-Terminal Propeptide): Indicates new collagen production—essential for building strong, resilient bone.
  • BSAP (Bone-Specific Alkaline Phosphatase): An enzyme associated with active bone formation.
  • Osteocalcin: A protein made by osteoblasts that plays a role in both bone-building and metabolic regulation.

Bone Resorption Markers (showing how much bone is being broken down):

• • CTX (C-terminal telopeptide): Detects fragments of collagen released as bone is broken down.
  • NTX (N-terminal telopeptide): Similar to CTX, often measured in urine.

Together, these biomarkers give a more complete picture of your bone health—one that goes beyond static bone density scores.

Why Bone Biomarkers Matter in Natural Bone Health Care

Bone biomarkers are commonly used in conventional medicine to monitor the effects of osteoporosis medications. But they are just as valuable—if not more so—for those taking a natural, holistic approach to building stronger bones.

If your bone health plan includes:

• • Weight-bearing or resistance exercise
  • Bone-supportive supplements
  • Anti-inflammatory nutrition
  • Digestive support
  • Stress and hormone regulation

…then bone biomarkers can give you tangible, timely feedback on whether your approach is working.

These tests help you:

• • Measure the impact of your program
  • Make adjustments based on data
  • Track short-term shifts while waiting for long-term changes in bone density

Who Can Order Bone Biomarker Tests?

Most bone biomarker tests can be ordered by a wide range of healthcare providers—including your primary care physician. You don’t need to see a specialist or functional medicine practitioner to access them.

And if your doctor isn’t familiar with these tests, don’t worry—I can order them for you as part of a personalized, holistic bone health consultation.

These labs are often used to monitor medications, but they’re just as valuable for tracking your progress with a natural, lifestyle-based approach. In many cases, they may even be covered by insurance.

When and How to Test

Bone biomarkers are typically measured through a blood draw, though some (like NTX) can be tested in urine. To ensure the most accurate results:

• Test in the morning, preferably fasting
• Repeat every 3–6 months when starting a new diet, exercise, or supplement plan
• Measure both formation and resorption markers for a complete picture

A Real-Time Window Into Your Bone Health

Bone loss is silent—until a fracture occurs. Bone biomarkers give you the power to detect imbalances before they cause visible damage. They also offer validation that your efforts are paying off.

If you’re seeing positive changes in your CTX or P1NP levels, you’ll know that your bones are responding.

This kind of data is incredibly empowering for anyone taking a root-cause, whole-body approach to osteoporosis.

Ready to Go Deeper?

Bone biomarker testing can offer powerful insight into what’s happening inside your bones—often long before changes show up on a DEXA scan. But the real value comes from understanding how these labs fit into the bigger picture of your health.

Join me for a free live webinar on Thursday, May 22nd at 7 PM ET:
“Beyond the Bone Scan: What Your Doctor Isn’t Testing (But Should Be)”

In this webinar, I’ll walk you through:

• • The key bone tests your doctor might not be using
  • The essential lab markers I recommend monitoring for overall and bone health
  • How to use testing—like biomarkers, inflammation labs, and nutrient levels—to support your lifestyle and supplement plan
  • Why relying on DEXA alone can leave you in the dark—and how to get a fuller picture

Bonus for live attendees:
You’ll receive a downloadable Bone Health Testing Tracker to help you organize your results and track your progress over time.

Click here to register – it’s free!

You don’t have to guess if your efforts are working. Let’s explore the tools that can bring you greater clarity, confidence, and direction on your bone health journey.