Bone Health & Osteoporosis in Westfield, NJ
Endocrinologist-led bone care, in person or by telehealth in NJ, NY & FL
EndoHealth MD offers bone health and osteoporosis care led by Dr. Alessia Roehnelt, a double board-certified endocrinologist. Care covers osteopenia, osteoporosis, bone loss around menopause, and fractures from minor falls.
A bone density score tells you where you are, not why. Before choosing a treatment, we look for the reasons your bones are thinning and build a plan around your actual fracture risk.
Schedule a consultation to review your bone density scan, labs, and options.
Is This Right for You?
Common reasons patients come to us
You may be a good fit if a bone density (DXA) scan showed osteopenia or osteoporosis, you broke a bone from a fall at standing height or less, or you have lost height. We also see women going through menopause who want to protect their bones, patients taking medicines that can thin bone, such as steroids, aromatase inhibitors, or some seizure medications, anyone with a family history of osteoporosis or hip fracture, and people with a low body weight or low BMI.
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Many patients are handed a prescription with little explanation, or told to just take calcium. We take the time to explain your numbers, your real fracture risk, and every option.
How We Evaluate Your Bones
Looking for the cause, not just the score
Care begins with a 60-minute consultation with Dr. Roehnelt. She reviews your bone density results, past fractures, medications, diet, menstrual and menopause history, and family history, then estimates your 10-year fracture risk with tools such as FRAX.
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Bone loss is often driven by another condition that can be found and treated. Testing is chosen for you and may include calcium, vitamin D, parathyroid hormone (PTH), kidney and liver function, thyroid levels, a 24-hour urine calcium, celiac screening, and testing for blood disorders.
Medical and Non-Medical Treatment
Matched to your health, not a one-size plan
Every plan starts with the basics that protect bone without medication: strength and impact training suited to your body, balance work to prevent falls, enough protein, calcium mostly from food, adequate vitamin D, limiting alcohol, and not smoking. For postmenopausal women with osteopenia, another option is Osteoboost, an FDA-cleared prescription vibration belt worn at home to help reduce bone loss. For some patients with osteopenia and lower fracture risk, these steps are the right place to start, with a repeat scan to track progress.
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When fracture risk is high, medication matters. Options include bisphosphonates such as alendronate or zoledronic acid, denosumab, and bone-building medicines such as teriparatide, abaloparatide, or romosozumab for those at the highest risk. For women in early menopause, estrogen therapy can also prevent bone loss while treating symptoms.
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We explain the benefits, side effects, and how long each treatment is used. Some medicines need a planned handoff: stopping denosumab without a follow-up treatment can cause rapid bone loss, so we map out the full course from the start.
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Sources: Eastell et al., Pharmacological Management of Osteoporosis in Postmenopausal Women: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline, J Clin Endocrinol Metab (2019), with the 2020 update by Shoback et al.; U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, Screening for Osteoporosis to Prevent Fractures (2025).
Bone Health and Menopause
Why the years around menopause matter
Bone loss speeds up in the years around menopause as estrogen falls, and the fastest loss often happens before anyone orders a scan. That is why we look at bone health as part of perimenopause and menopause care, not years later.
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As an endocrinologist, Dr. Roehnelt looks at hormones, thyroid, weight, muscle, and bone together. If you are on thyroid medication, hormone therapy, or a GLP-1 for weight loss, your plan is built to protect your bones too.
Common Questions
Short answers to what patients ask most
Is osteopenia the same as osteoporosis? No. Osteopenia means bone density is lower than average but not in the osteoporosis range. Fracture risk depends on more than the T-score, so some people with osteopenia need treatment and many do not.
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When should I get a bone density scan? Current guidelines recommend a bone density scan for all women 65 and older, and for younger postmenopausal women with risk factors such as a prior fracture, low body weight, smoking, steroid use, or a parent who broke a hip.
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Are osteoporosis medications safe? For most people at high fracture risk, the benefits far outweigh the risks. Rare side effects, such as jaw problems (osteonecrosis) and unusual thigh fractures, are real but uncommon. We discuss them openly and plan treatment breaks when they make sense.
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Can exercise and supplements reverse osteoporosis? Strength training, protein, calcium, and vitamin D help protect bone and lower your risk of falls. When fracture risk is high, they usually are not enough on their own, and medication is what lowers the chance of a break.
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Can I do this by telehealth? Yes. Dr. Roehnelt sees patients virtually in New Jersey, New York, and Florida. Bone density scans and labs are done at a facility near you.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Begin with a new patient consultation. Ongoing care is provided through our membership.
Medically reviewed by Alessia Roehnelt, MD. Last reviewed October 2026.
Location & Telehealth
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In-person Care: 189 Elm Street, Lower Level, Westfield, NJ 973-559-2933
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Virtual Care: NJ, NY, and FL
Insurance & Medicare Notice
EndoHealth MD is a direct-pay practice and does not bill insurance.
We provide superbills you may submit for possible out-of-network reimbursement.
Dr. Roehnelt has opted out of Medicare; services cannot be submitted to Medicare for reimbursement.