Osteopenia is defined by what T-score range on DXA?

Osteopenia is defined by what T-score range on DXA?

• A. A T-score between -1.0 and -2.5
• B. A T-score between -0.5 and -1.5
• C. A T-score between -2.5 and -3.5
• D. A T-score between -1.0 and -0.5

Answer: (A)

DXA uses a T-score to compare a person’s bone mineral density with that of a healthy young adult. This score helps categorize bone health: normal density is about -1.0 or higher, osteoporosis is -2.5 or lower, and osteopenia sits in between. Therefore, osteopenia is defined by a T-score from -1.0 down to -2.5, indicating lower density than normal but not low enough to meet osteoporosis criteria. The other ranges describe either normal bone density or osteoporosis, or fall outside the established osteopenia interval.

DXA uses a T-score to compare a person’s bone mineral density with that of a healthy young adult. This score helps categorize bone health: normal density is about -1.0 or higher, osteoporosis is -2.5 or lower, and osteopenia sits in between. Therefore, osteopenia is defined by a T-score from -1.0 down to -2.5, indicating lower density than normal but not low enough to meet osteoporosis criteria. The other ranges describe either normal bone density or osteoporosis, or fall outside the established osteopenia interval.