Understanding Your Bone Density Test Results: A Comprehensive Guide

According to the Mayo Clinic, bone fracture, particularly of the hip, is one of the most prevalent causes of illness among the elderly and frequently results from a loss of bone density---osteoporosis. A bone density test, also called a bone mineral density (BMD) test can predict the risk of bone fracture in post-menopausal women. According to a 2005 study in the "Journal of Endocrinological Investigation" there is still some uncertainty whether the scoring can predict fracture in men as well as it does in women.

Instructions

• 1

  Request a copy of the actual laboratory results from the dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry bone density test, commonly called a DEXA test. It should contain two scores, a T-score and a Z-score.

• 2

  Refer to the T-Score, which represents a statistical calculation of the number of standard deviation units above or below the average bone density of a normally healthy young woman.

• 3

  Consider your bone density normal if it is above minus-1. Interpret the score as indicating osteopenia, that is, lowered bone density if it is a number smaller than minus-1 (for example minus-1.5) but greater than minus-2.5.

• 4

  Read a T-Score that is smaller than minus-2.5 (for example, minus-3) as an indication of osteoporosis.

• 5

  Note the second score, the Z-score. This compares your bone density to the average reading for other individuals sharing your age range and gender. If your Z-score equals zero, then it matches the average, placing you in the 50 percentile. That is, 50 percent of your Z group have better bone density and 50 percent have less.

• 6

  Use the percentile table provided by the University of Washington in their Web explanatory reference "Osteoporosis and Bone Physiology" to translate your Z-score to a percentile ranking. As an example, a Z-score of minus-0.68 places an individual in the 25th percentile, which means 75 percent of the comparable group has a higher bone density. A Z-score of plus-0.68 puts a person in the 75th percentile, which indicates an individual probably at less bone fracture risk than 75 percent of the age/sex group.