How to diagnose Osteoporosis by the Bone Density Scan T-Scores

Osteoporosis is a common disease characterized by low bone mass with disruption of bone architecture causing bone fragility. This can result in an increased risk of fracture especially at the spine, hip, wrist, humerus, and pelvis without major trauma. The best test to diagnose osteoporosis is Dual-Energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan. This is done by a radiologist and the results are interpreted as T-scores.In 1994, the World Health Organization (WHO) established a classification of Bone Mineral Density (BMD) according to the standard deviation difference between a persons BMD and that of a young-adult. This value is expressed as a "T-score." So, what do these T-scores mean? Follow the steps below to learn more:

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Recent Bone Density Scan Report
• Knowledge
• Physician
• Radiologist

1. Find out what your T-scores are. This information is usually reported by the radiologist who performed your Bone Scan in his report, usually in the 'assessment' or 'impression' section. The scores are reported as number of Standard Deviations that your bone density is above (+) or below (-) the mean.
2. Assess the severity of your osteoporosis and hence the risk for getting fractures based on the T-scores as mentioned in the next steps
3. Know that if have a T-score of -1.0 (minus one) this means that you are one standard deviation lower than the standard. This, however is considered to be a normal score even though it is on the lower side of the normal range. This also means that you have no higher risk of getting a bone fracture than a healthy young adult.
4. Be cautious if your T-score is between -1.0 and -2.5. In other words you are more than one but less than two and a half standard deviations less than the normal. This score does put you at some risk of getting a bone fracture than the person with normal T-scores. This is also known as 'osteopenia' or 'low bone mass'. You may also say that you have an evolving osteoporosis, but is not full blown yet.
5. Confirm the diagnosis of osteoporosis if your T-score is equal to or less than -2.5 (minus 2.5). This puts you at an increased risk of developing bone fractures with the degree of trauma that may not cause fracture in a person who has a normal T-scores or a healthy young adult.

Tips & Warnings

• The good news is that Bone Mineral Density can be normalized with a good physician follow up and medications. Calcium and vitamin D supplements are vital.
• With T-scores of less than -2.5 you should see your doctor as soon as possible.