What should an bone density be?

The World Health Organization (WHO) has established criteria to define osteoporosis based on bone mineral density (BMD) measurements using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). These criteria are expressed as T-scores and Z-scores:

T-score:

1. Normal BMD: T-score ≥ -1

2. Osteopenia: T-score between -1 and -2.5

3. Osteoporosis: T-score ≤ -2.5

Z-score:

1. Normal BMD: Z-score within 2 standard deviations of the mean for age and gender

2. Low Bone Density: Z-score between -2 and -1

3. Very Low Bone Density: Z-score ≤ -2

It's important to note that bone density may vary based on factors such as age, sex, race, and overall health. Therefore, it's always recommended to consult a healthcare professional for a proper evaluation and interpretation of bone density test results.