N Telopeptide (NTx) details
What N Telopeptide (NTx) shows
N-telopeptide (NTx) is a small fragment of type I collagen, the main protein in bone. It is released into the blood and passes into urine when bone is broken down as part of normal bone remodeling. This test measures NTx in urine, usually adjusted for creatinine to account for dilution, to help look at the rate of bone resorption. A higher level suggests faster bone breakdown, which can be seen after menopause, with osteoporosis and with some other bone conditions, while a fall over time can show response to treatment. It does not diagnose osteoporosis, and levels vary with time of day, so it is interpreted alongside bone density testing.
Tests that include N Telopeptide (NTx)
NTx is useful to assess bone resorption in patients with metabolic bone disease. The test is also useful in monitoring therapy to slow or halt osteoporotic bone loss. A decline of 30% or more of NTx over a six-month period suggests effective therapy.
- Creatinine, Random Measures creatinine in a random urine sample, mainly used as a reference to adjust other urine results for how concentrated or dilute the sample is.
- N Telopeptide (NTx) Measures N-telopeptide (NTx), a fragment released when bone is broken down, in urine to help assess bone resorption and monitor treatment.
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