How accurate are bone density tests in determining if I have osteoporosis?
All bone density tests approved by the FDA are considered to give some useful information. A measurement of the spine or the hip is considered the most definitive, and they are mentioned in the Medicare guidelines as the preferred bones to measure. The World Health Organization has also come up with some guidelines for defining who has osteoporosis, based on a bone density measurement. While these guidelines are still being debated, they are one of the best ways we have at this time to determine who may need to be treated for osteoporosis. These guidelines are based on comparing your bone density to the average bone density for young adults, and results are given as a “T-score” (the “T-score” is determined by the range of bone density values in young adults, with 95% of normal young adults having a T-score between -2 and +2). A T-score of -1 or higher is considered “normal” by the WHO guidelines, from -1 to -2.5 is considered “osteopenia,” and below -2.5 is considered “osteoporosis.” I
