Dexa Scan results interpreted please

[Plonkerme]

Dexa scan results interpreted please

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

DEXA scan info from NHS -

Your results

A bone density scan compares your bone density with the bone density expected for a young healthy adult or a healthy adult of your own age, gender and ethnicity.

The difference is calculated as a standard deviation (SD) score. This measures the difference between your bone density and the expected value.

The difference between your measurement and that of a young healthy adult is known as a T score,

The difference between your measurement and that of someone of the same age is known as a Z score.

The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies T scores as follows:

* above -1 SD is normal

* between -1 and -2.5 SD is defined as mildly reduced bone mineral density (BMD) compared with peak bone mass (PBM)

* at or below -2.5 SD is defined as osteoporosis

If your Z score is below -2, your bone density is lower than it should be for someone of your age.

Although BMD results provide a good indication of bone strength, the results of a bone density scan will not necessarily predict whether you'll get a fracture.

For example, someone with low bone density may never break a bone, whereas someone with average bone density may have several fractures.

This is because other factors, such as age, sex or whether you have previously had a fall, also determine if you're likely to sustain a fracture.

Your doctor will consider all of your individual risk factors before deciding if treatment is necessary.

GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING T-SCORES

CategoryT-scores

RangeExamples:

Normal Bone Density-1 and above+0.5

Low Bone Density (Osteopenia)Between -1 and -2.5

Osteoporosis-2.5 and below

[Thelmarina in reply to DorsetLady]

So useful! Thanks very much 👍xx

[PMRpro Ambassador]

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