Diagnosis[edit]
Paget's disease of right coxa. Man of 80 years age.
Paget's disease may be diagnosed using one or more of the following tests:
Pagetic bone has a characteristic appearance on X-rays. A skeletal survey is therefore indicated.
An elevated level of alkaline phosphatase in the blood in combination with normal calcium, phosphate, and aminotransferase levels in an elderly patient are suggestive of Paget's disease.
Markers of bone turnover in urine eg. Pyridinoline
Elevated levels of serum and urinary hydroxyproline are also found.
Bone scans are useful in determining the extent and activity of the condition. If a bone scan suggests Paget's disease, the affected bone(s) should be X-rayed to confirm the diagnosis.