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Diagnosis of osteoporosis

It is important to identify people who have osteoporosis because effective treatment is available. Therapy, together with lifestyle changes, can reduce the risk of osteoporosis-related fractures. Osteoporosis is diagnosed easily and painlessly by measuring bone density.

If you have experienced a low-trauma fracture which might be related to osteoporosis, or have risk factors for osteoporosis, your doctor may consider referring you for a test to measure your bone density.

Results of the bone density test are usually expressed as the ‘T-score’. This score is calculated by comparing your bone density with an average value for healthy young adults with peak bone density (reference value). The T-score is used to diagnose osteoporosis.

Normal T-Score

If your T-score is similar to or only slightly less than the reference value, i.e. T-score of minus 1 or above, you have normal bone density and are not at increased risk of low-trauma fractures.

Osteoporosis

If your T-score is considerably lower than the reference value, i.e. T-score less than minus 2.5, you have osteoporosis and are at increased risk of fracture. To decrease the risk of fractures in the future, your doctor will probably recommend lifestyle changes to reduce any modifiable risk factors and may suggest you start treatment that will prevent further bone loss. Remember, a diagnosis of osteoporosis does not automatically mean you will have a fracture; treatment, lifestyle changes and fall prevention measures can all slow down the rate of bone loss and reduce the risk of fractures occurring.

Osteopenia

If your T-score is between minus 1 and minus 2.5, your bone density is lower than normal but not low enough for a diagnosis of osteoporosis. This low bone density is known as osteopenia. Your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes to reduce any modifiable risk factors, and may recommend follow-up tests in 1-2 years.