What Is The Deoxypyridinoline Test For?
Bone is constantly undergoing a remodelling process, with your collagen cross-linked by specific molecules that provide rigidity and strength. One of these crosslinks is deoxypyridinoline (DPD).
Measuring DPD indicates the level of free and total cross-links in your bones. The purpose of the test is to assess for bone resorption (high bone turnover) which is useful to assess for bone conditions such as osteoarthritis, osteoporosis but also other factors that affect bone such as Paget's disease, bone cancers, fracture and bone infections.
However, it is important to note that there are several factors which can influence the levels of DPD and for this reason, it is not a routine test for assessment of bone diseases, rather an indicator of increase bone resoprtion and should be used in combination with other tests that are used to assess for these conditions.

