What is a normal T score on a DEXA scan?
A T-score of –2.5 or lower—the definition of osteoporosis—is an indication you may need a prescription for a medication to slow or arrest bone loss. If your DEXA scan indicates you have osteopenia—a T-score between -1.0 and -2.5—your clinician may use the FRAX calculator.
How to understand your DEXA scan results?
Understanding your dexa scan results 1 You have your Dexa scan results. You have T score numbers and Z score numbers. ... 2 You. And understanding those results is important if you are serious about strengthening your bones. ... 3 So let's get to the details. 4 Ask for a copy of your test results. ...
When should you get a DEXA?
If you’re a woman younger than 65, you should consider getting a DEXA if you have risk factors such as a fracture from minor trauma, rheumatoid arthritis, low body weight, or a parent who had a hip fracture.
Do I need a DEXA scan to prevent osteoporosis?
One of the first steps in prevention is knowing your bone health, and that involves getting a DEXA scan. What Is a DEXA Scan? Getting evaluated and treated for bone loss is crucial for every woman’s healthcare, and the DEXA scan is the standard way to screen for osteoporosis.
What is a good T-score on a DEXA scan?
DXA Scan Results The lower your score, the weaker your bones are: T-score of -1.0 or above = normal bone density. T-score between -1.0 and -2.5 = low bone density, or osteopenia. T-score of -2.5 or lower = osteoporosis.
What is the desirable range for bone density T-score?
As shown in the table below, a T-score between +1 and −1 is considered normal or healthy. A T-score between −1 and −2.5 indicates that you have low bone mass, although not low enough to be diagnosed with osteoporosis. A T-score of −2.5 or lower indicates that you have osteoporosis.
At what T-score do you start bisphosphonates?
Many factors need to be considered when placing an osteopenic patient on treatment (T-score: -2.5 to -1). There has been clear data indicating the benefits of placing an osteoporotic patient (T-score: <-2.5) on first-line treatments including bisphosphonates.
What is the T-score for severe osteopenia?
GRAPHICST-scoreBone densityBetween –1 and –2.5OsteopeniaBone density that is between 1 and 2.5 SD below the mean is called osteopenia. A person with osteopenia does not yet have osteoporosis but is at risk of developing it if not treated.–2.5 or lessOsteoporosis3 more rows•Oct 5, 2021
What is the average T-score for a 70 year old woman?
70-74 years of age the average T-score is -1.69 SD and the decrease in Z-score to those who are osteoporotic is 1.31 (Table 38).
Can you improve your bone density T-score?
Can I improve my T-score? In some cases, a T-score can be improved. However, it depends on where your score falls within the risk range and your lifestyle. Building up your bone density may involve taking medications as prescribed, eating plenty of foods that contain calcium and vitamin D, and exercising regularly.
When should you start osteoporosis treatment?
When should osteoporosis be treated with medication? Women whose bone density test shows T-scores of -2.5 or lower, such as -3.3 or -3.8, should begin therapy to reduce their risk of fracture. Many women need treatment if they have osteopenia, which is bone weakness that is not as severe as osteoporosis.
When should you start bone protection?
HRT is recommended by NICE CKS for women who have experienced a premature menopause until the age of 50. NOS recommend it for women under the age of 60 years when the benefits of treatments outweigh the risks [National Osteoporosis Society, 2010].
What should I check before starting bisphosphonates?
You must tell your dentist if you are taking a bisphosphonate. You will need to have regular dental check-ups. Also it is advisable to have a dental check-up before starting a bisphosphonate. This is because there is a very small chance that you will get a condition called osteonecrosis of the jaw.
How can I increase my bone density after 60?
5 ways to build strong bones as you ageThink calcium. Women up to age 50 and men up to age 70 need 1,000 milligrams daily; women over 50 and men over 70 should get 1,200 milligrams daily.And vitamin D. ... Exercise. ... Don't smoke. ... Drink alcohol moderately, if at all. ... Remember protein. ... Maintain an appropriate body weight.
Can you reverse bone density loss?
The short answer is no, osteoporosis cannot be completely reversed and is not considered curable, but there are a number of health and lifestyle adjustments you can make to improve bone loss. Your provider may also prescribe you medications to help rebuild and slow down bone loss.
How do you stop osteopenia from progressing?
Several strategies can help you maintain bone strength and prevent bone loss:Avoid smoking.Eat a healthy, balanced diet with lots of fruits, vegetables, calcium and vitamins.Exercise every day. ... Get at least 1,200 mg of calcium daily.Get at least 800 to 1,000 IU of vitamin D daily.More items...•
What is a dexa scan?
DEXA scans are the most widely used test to measure bone mineral density. This measurement reflects the fact that the denser the bone, the less x-rays pass through it.
Where can I find a dexa scan?
Central DEXA looks at your whole skeleton, paying special attention to your spine and hips. These machines are usually found in hospitals and medical centers, but some doctors’ offices have them too.
What does the LVA test show?
The LVA test adds only a few minutes to the Central DEXA procedure. Before your scan, the technician may ask you to complete a quick questionnaire. This helps the doctor determine if you have osteopenia, osteoporosis, or some other medical condition. Your DEXA results reveal your bone mineral density (BMD).
How does a dexa machine work?
A DEXA machine uses low-energy x-rays and sends two different sources (thus the ‘D’ for “dual” in the name) through the bone in question. The two x-ray sources double the accuracy in measuring your bone density. So, your bone blocks some of the x-rays.
What is a T score on a bone density test?
The results are calculated in a computer, and you’re told your T-score; one of the results of the bone density test. If your score is between 0 and -1, you’re considered normal.
How long does it take to get a dexa?
Central DEXA scans usually take less than 30 minutes, depending on the equipment used and the parts of your body being examined . In the Central DEXA, you lie comfortably on a padded table. No need to remove your clothes— just make sure there are no zippers that might block the x-rays of your hips and spine.
What is the procedure called to check for vertebral fractures?
There is an additional procedure called Lateral Vertebral Assessment ( LVA). An LVA is done at many centers. LVA is a low-dose x-ray examination of the spine to screen for vertebral fractures.
What is a dexa scan?
Getting evaluated and treated for bone loss is crucial for every woman’s healthcare, and the DEXA scan is the standard way to screen for osteoporosis. DEXA (or DXA) stands for dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. It measures the bone mineral density and is a relatively inexpensive test usually covered by insurance.
How many women get bone density test?
Despite the standard recommendation for screening of all women aged 65 years and older, only about 30-50% of eligible women get a bone density test.
What is the best treatment for osteoporosis?
The commonly used drugs for treating osteoporosis are known as bisphosphonates. These drugs like alendronate (Fosamax) and ibandronate (Boniva) pose numerous risks and may, in fact, do more harm than good especially in women with osteopenia who still have only modest bone loss and are considered low-risk.
Can a woman get a dexa?
Younger Women Can Benefit If They Have Certain Risk Factors. If you’re a woman younger than 65, you should consider getting a DEXA if you have risk factors such as a fracture from minor trauma, rheumatoid arthritis, low body weight, or a parent who had a hip fracture.
Is dexa a good test for osteoporosis?
This often leads to overtreatment which causes more harm than good. DEXA screening for osteoporosis is one of the top five overused tests according to a 2012 report released by the American Academy of Family Physicians. It should not be used in women younger than age 65 with no risk factors, the Academy emphasizes.
What Does T-Score Measure?
Bones have microscopic holes throughout them, and their structure is often compared to a honeycomb. When bone loss occurs, the holes in the bones get bigger. Bigger holes lead to weak and brittle bones. T-score tests are used to help determine how big the holes in the bone are.
Bone Density by Age
Losing bone density is part of the normal aging process. As you age, your bone density will change—however, that does not necessarily mean that you will develop osteoporosis. Other factors, such as diet and exercise, also play a role in the onset of osteoporosis.
T-Score vs. Z-Score
Although T-scores are typically the first choice for doctors looking to gauge the level of bone loss, a Z-score can also be beneficial to help diagnose osteoporosis or the amount of bone loss in women, children, and young men.
Getting a Referral
To get a bone density test, you will first have to go to your primary care physician. They will refer you to a radiologist and orthopedic doctor who can determine your risk, decide if you need the test, and if so, book an appointment for you.
Osteoporosis T-Score Chart
The T-scores used to determine osteoporosis are divided into three categories: low risk, medium risk, and high risk.
Interpreting T-Score Results
Once you have your T-score, you can talk to your doctor about your results and what they mean for the future health of your bones.
Improving Your Bone Health
Your T-score gives you the information that you need to strengthen bone density in a meaningful way. Once you know your T-score, you can take steps to help prevent osteoporosis from developing or to prevent more bone loss.
Why is it important to understand dexa scan results?
You can understand your dexa scan results. And understanding those results is important if you are serious about strengthening your bones. You need to understand exactly where you are NOW if you want to plan to be somewhere else in a year or so.
What does BMD mean in bone density?
1. The column marked BMD gives your bone mineral den sity - the number of grams per centimeter of bone. Numbers of +1.0 or above are good. 2. The column marked T score shows how your bone mineral density compares with women in their thirties, the peak bone density years. when it is highly unlikely that you would suffer a fracture. ...
What age should I get a dexa scan?
A DEXA scan is recommended for women ages 65 or older and for women ages 50 or older who have broken a bone recently . (At least 50% of women who have a hip fracture have already broken another bone.) Your doctor may also recommend a DEXA scan if you smoke, consume an average of three or more alcoholic drinks a day, have a low body mass index (BMI), ...
What is a T score?
The result, expressed as a number called a T-score, compares your bone density with that of a healthy younger woman. A T-score of –2.5 or lower—the definition of osteoporosis—is an indication you may need a prescription for a medication to slow or arrest bone loss.
How long does bisphosphonate treatment last?
Risk of jaw necrosis and atypical thigh fracture is lower when use of bisphosphonates is limited. For most women, bisphosphonate treatment ends after five years of oral therapy or after three annual intra-venous infusions of zolendronate. However, the drugs' effects remain for several years after therapy is discontinued.
What is the risk of hip fractures in 10 years?
In general, if your 10-year fracture risk is at least 3% for hip fractures or at least 20% for other major osteoporotic fractures, you should consider taking medication to prevent bone loss or increase bone density to avert future fractures.
Can you take bisphosphonate with low bone density?
If you have low bone density and are debating whether to take a bisphosphonate, you may consider the following: Osteoporotic fractures can be debilitating. If you accumulate several vertebral fractures, you may lose height, develop a hump, and have less room for your abdominal organs.
Does zoledronate reduce hip fractures?
For example, taking zoledronate or denosumab can decrease the risk of hip fractures by 40% and spine fractures by about 70% . For women with low bone density, alendronate is associated with a reduction of about 50% for hip and spine fractures and 23% for wrist, ankle, and other bone fractures. (See "Effectiveness of common osteoporosis medications.")
Abstract
Approximately 10 million men and women in the U.S. have osteoporosis, 1 a metabolic bone disease characterized by low bone density and deterioration of bone architecture that increase the risk of fractures. 2 Osteoporosis-related fractures can increase pain, disability, nursing home placement, total health care costs, and mortality.
INTRODUCTION
Osteoporosis is a bone disorder that increases a person’s risk of fracture due to low bone mineral density (BMD), impaired bone microarchitecture/mineralization, and/or decreased bone strength.
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
Bones provide structure for the body, protection for the organs, and storage for minerals, such as calcium and phosphorus, that are essential for bone development and stability. Individuals continue to build bone and will reach peak bone mass at about 30 years of age, after which they begin to lose bone mass steadily.
ETIOLOGY
Primary osteoporosis is often associated with age and sex hormone deficiency. Age-related osteoporosis results from the continuous deterioration of the trabeculae in bone. In addition, the reduction of estrogen production in post menopausal women causes a significant increase in bone loss.
SCREENING AND DIAGNOSIS
Published osteoporosis screening guidelines vary greatly. In general, most organizations recommend that all adults older than 50 years of age with a history of fracture receive BMD screening.
SELECT GUIDELINES AND RECOMMENDATIONS
In a systematic review, Solomon et al. looked at 18 osteoporosis guidelines, among them those of the NOF, the ACR, and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and American College of Endocrinology (AACE/ACE).
NONPHARMACOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT
Nonpharmacological management of osteoporosis includes adequate calcium and vitamin D intake, weight-bearing exercise, smoking cessation, limitation of alcohol/caffeine consumption, and fall-prevention techniques. 2 – 6, 9, 18, 34