How Do I Understand My Bone Mineral Density Report?
If you’ve recently had a bone mineral density (BMD) test, you may be awash in the confusion of T-scores, Z-scores, and FRAX risk, worried you might have osteopenia or osteoporosis. Whether you’ve had a dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA or DXA) scan measuring hip and spine BMD or peripheral testing of heel, forearm, wrist or finger, you need to understand your bone mineral density report. Draw a number line on a sheet of paper. Put “zero” in the middle. To the right of the zero, space out positive numbers one through five (+1, +2, etc.). To the left of the zero, space out negative numbers one through five (-1, -2, etc.). Draw a vertical line through +1 and -1. Draw a vertical line through -2.5. Plot your T-score from your BMD test on the number line. If you have more than one T-score (for example, one from your spine and one from your hip), use the lowest number. Remember, in negative numbers “higher is lower.” A score of -2 is lower than a score of -1; a score of -3 is lower than
