What Does Your DEXA Score Actually Mean?

Your DEXA Report May Look More Complicated Than It Is

If you have ever received a DEXA report, you may have seen terms such as:
• T-score
• Z-score
• Bone mineral density
• Osteopenia
• Osteoporosis

These numbers can be confusing. Understanding what they mean can make it easier to have a productive conversation about your bone health.

What Is a T-Score?

A T-score compares your bone mineral density with that of a healthy young adult reference population.
For postmenopausal women and men age 50 and older, T-scores are commonly used when classifying bone density.

What Is a Z-Score?
A Z-score compares your bone density with people of similar age and sex.
Z-scores are particularly useful in younger individuals and certain clinical situations.

Osteopenia and Osteoporosis

Bone density classifications are commonly described as:
• Normal bone density
• Osteopenia
• Osteoporosis

But a diagnosis and treatment decision should not necessarily be based on one number alone.

Why Your T-Score Isn’t the Whole Story

A patient’s previous fracture history may be extremely important.

So may:
• Age
• Family history
• Medication use
• Medical conditions
• Fall risk
• Other clinical factors

This is why two people with the same T-score may receive different recommendations.

Don’t Panic About a Single Number

A DEXA score is a measurement—not a prediction of exactly what will happen to you. The goal is to combine the measurement with the rest of your health information to understand your individual fracture risk.

Key Takeaways

• T-scores compare bone density with a young adult reference.
• Z-scores compare bone density with age-matched individuals.
• Lower scores generally indicate lower bone density.
• DEXA results should be interpreted in context.
• Fracture history and other risk factors matter.

Continue the Journey

Next: Osteopenia vs. Osteoporosis: What’s the Difference?
Once you understand your DEXA score, the next question is often:

“What does my diagnosis actually mean?”

Learn more about our Osteoporosis and Bone Health Clinic

Schedule an Osteoporosis & Bone Health Consultation at 757-321-3360.

Bring your DEXA results to Atlantic Orthopaedic Specialists Bone Health Clinic and understand what they mean for your individual fracture risk.