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T-Score Bone Density Chart: A T-score of -1.0 to -2.5 signifies osteopenia, meaning below-normal bone density without full-blown osteoporosis. This stage of bone loss is the precursor to osteoporosis.
What your score means-1 and above: Your bone density is considered normal. Between -1 and -2.5: Your score is a sign of osteopenia, a condition in which bone density is below normal and may lead to osteoporosis.-2.5 and below: Your bone density indicates you likely have osteoporosis.
When your bone density is tested, your healthcare provider will get a numerical score that tells them if you already have osteoporosis or are at risk for developing it. One of the numbers is called a T-score, which tells whether your bone density is low enough to be considered osteoporosis.
If your T-score is: –1 or higher, your bone is healthy. –1 to –2.5, you have osteopenia, a less severe form of low bone mineral density than osteoporosis. –2.5 or lower, you might have osteoporosis. The risk of broken bones increases by 1.5 to 2 times with each 1-point drop in the T-score.
For postmenopausal women and men age 50 years and older, the T-score is the number that is used for diagnostic classification, as follows: A T-score of -1.0 or above is normal bone density. Examples are 0.9, 0 and -0.9. A T-score between -1.0 and -2.5 means you have low bone mass or osteopenia.
A T-score within 1 SD (+1 or -1) of the young adult mean indicates normal bone density. A T-score of 1 to 2.5 SD below the young adult mean (-1 to -2.5 SD) indicates low bone mass. A T-score of 2.5 SD or more below the young adult mean (more than -2.5 SD) indicates the presence of osteoporosis.
Normal bone density — People with normal bone density have a T-score between +1 and -1. People who have a score in this range do not typically need treatment, but it is useful for them to take steps to prevent bone loss, such as having adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D and doing weightbearing exercise.
A bone density scan gives a person a Z-score and a T-score. Bone density scores can tell a doctor whether a person has osteopenia or osteoporosis or is at risk of developing either condition.
What is the purpose of a BMD test? Your healthcare provider may check your bone density to: Check your risk of fracturing a bone. Diagnose osteoporosis. Measure how well osteoporosis treatment is working. Who needs a BMD test? Experts recommend BMD tests for: Women or people assigned female at birth (AFAB) who are older than 65.
What is a DXA scan used to diagnose? A healthcare provider might use a DXA scan to check your bones in a few situations, including to: Diagnose osteoporosis. Diagnose osteopenia. Check your bone fracture risk. Your provider might use a bone density test to see how your bones have changed over time, including: