← Return to New to osteoporosis and overwhelmed

Discussion

New to osteoporosis and overwhelmed

Osteoporosis & Bone Health | Last Active: Jan 7 12:46pm | Replies (54)

Comment receiving replies
@mspatart

Bone density results, what they mean:
-1.0 or 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 or below = Your bone density indicates you have osteoporosis

Jump to this post


Replies to "Bone density results, what they mean: -1.0 or above = Your bone density is considered normal..."

Dexa Scans:
The best way to measure your bone density progress is to track the percentage change in your BMD from your previous DEXA scan. Your T-score is a useful indicator of how your bones compare to someone with peak bone density.

But unfortunately, there isn’t a standard scoring system for T-score values, so they vary from one clinic to the next. What’s more, T-score percentages can be a little broad, so your T-score may not change, even though your bone density increased!

So the percentage change in your BMD is the best indicator of your progress. Remember, BMD stands for bone mineral density— a measure of the mineral content in a certain volume of your bone. So if you see an increase in your BMD, your bones are getting denser and stronger. A BMD decrease means your bones are becoming more porous and weak.

Because different clinics use slightly different equipment and scoring methods, it’s best to have all your DEXA scans at the same clinic. This way, you’ll be able to track your progress accurately.