What is the range for osteoporosis on a DEXA scan?

Oct 27, 2025 2 min read •

senior care Healthy Aging bone health

According to the Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation, approximately 10 million Americans have osteoporosis, a disease characterized by brittle, weakened bones. Understanding your dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan results is the first step toward proactive care. Knowing what is the range for osteoporosis on a DEXA scan is crucial for interpretation.

Quick Summary

The range for osteoporosis on a DEXA scan is defined by a T-score of -2.5 or lower, indicating significantly reduced bone mineral density compared to a healthy young adult. Scores between -1.0 and -2.5 are classified as osteopenia, or low bone mass, which is a precursor to osteoporosis. Normal bone density is indicated by a T-score of -1.0 or higher, but your physician considers your complete profile for a comprehensive diagnosis.

Key Points

Osteoporosis Range: A DEXA scan T-score of -2.5 or lower indicates osteoporosis, signifying fragile bones [6].
Osteopenia: A T-score between -1.0 and -2.5 is classified as osteopenia, a condition of low bone mass that precedes osteoporosis [6].
Normal: Healthy bone density is represented by a T-score of -1.0 or higher, matching a young adult's peak bone mass [6].
Full Assessment: A diagnosis goes beyond just the T-score and includes other factors like your overall health, risk factors, and the presence of any fragility fractures [4].
Proactive Management: A DEXA diagnosis empowers you to work with a doctor on lifestyle changes, supplements, and medication to strengthen bones and reduce fracture risk [4].
Z-Score for Younger Adults: For individuals under 50, the Z-score is a more relevant measure, comparing their bone density to age-matched peers [1, 5].

Understanding the DEXA Scan and T-Scores

A DEXA (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) scan is a quick, non-invasive imaging test that measures bone mineral density (BMD) [1, 2]. For adults over 50 and postmenopausal women, the T-score is the most important result, comparing your BMD to that of a healthy 30-year-old [3]. This score is measured in standard deviations.

The Diagnostic Ranges

The World Health Organization (WHO) provides clear guidelines for interpreting T-scores [5, 6]:

Normal: A T-score of -1.0 or higher.
Osteopenia (Low Bone Mass): A T-score between -1.0 and -2.5.
Osteoporosis: A T-score of -2.5 or lower.

A diagnosis of osteoporosis is based on the lowest T-score from a central DEXA scan, typically measuring the spine and hip [4, 6].

Interpreting Your Full DEXA Scan Report

A complete DEXA report provides more than just the T-score for a full clinical assessment [1, 5].

The Z-Score: Comparing to Your Peers

The Z-score is used for younger individuals and compares BMD to the average for people of the same age, sex, and ethnicity. A Z-score of -2.0 or lower is considered below expected and may prompt investigation into underlying causes of low bone density [1, 5].

FRAX Score and Fracture Risk

Some reports include a FRAX score, which estimates your 10-year risk of a major osteoporotic fracture. This uses your T-score and other risk factors to help doctors decide on treatment, particularly for those with osteopenia [2, 5].

Understanding the Bone Quality

Advanced DEXA scans may also provide a Trabecular Bone Score (TBS), which assesses bone microarchitecture and offers additional insight into fracture risk independent of BMD [1].

Life After a DEXA Diagnosis

A diagnosis of osteopenia or osteoporosis is a call to action to manage bone health effectively [4].

Lifestyle Modifications

Weight-Bearing Exercise: Activities like walking and weightlifting stimulate bone formation [4].
Dietary Changes: Increase calcium and Vitamin D intake [4].
Quit Smoking and Limit Alcohol: These negatively impact bone density [4].

Supplements and Medication

Calcium and Vitamin D supplements may be recommended. For osteoporosis, medication like bisphosphonates is often prescribed to slow bone loss or increase formation [4]. For more information on medications, you can visit the National Osteoporosis Foundation's resource on medications.

DEXA Scan Range and Bone Density Category


T-Score Range	Bone Density Category	Description
-1.0 or higher	Normal	Healthy bone density [6].
Between -1.0 and -2.5	Osteopenia (Low Bone Mass)	Lower than normal bone density, increasing fracture risk [6].
-2.5 or lower	Osteoporosis	Low bone density, making bones brittle and prone to fractures [6].

Conclusion

The DEXA scan is vital for assessing bone health and fracture risk, especially with healthy aging. Understanding that the range for osteoporosis on a DEXA scan is a T-score of -2.5 or lower allows for informed discussions with healthcare providers about managing bone health through lifestyle and medical interventions [4].

Frequently Asked Questions

Osteopenia is low bone mass (T-score between -1.0 and -2.5), while osteoporosis is a more severe stage with significantly fragile bones (T-score of -2.5 or lower) [6].

With medication, diet, and exercise, you can stabilize bone density and potentially see modest T-score improvements, significantly reducing fracture risk [4].

For osteoporosis, scans every two years monitor treatment. For normal density, the interval is often longer, based on individual risk factors [4].

The Z-score compares your bone density to age-matched peers. A score of -2.0 or lower can indicate underlying causes of bone loss, but it's not typically used for diagnosis in older adults [1, 5].

DEXA scans are not painful, use very low radiation, and the procedure is quick and comfortable [1].

Avoid calcium supplements 24 hours prior. Wear loose clothing without metal. Inform your doctor of recent contrast dye tests [2].

Yes, a fragility fracture from a low-level fall can automatically lead to an osteoporosis diagnosis, regardless of T-score [4].

References

Medical Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider regarding personal health decisions.