<s>[INST] How do I understand my bone density test (DXA) results? [/INST] Sometimes you will receive a short summary from your doctor which provides the results in somewhat subjective language. Always ask for the full report, including the images. The images are helpful if you move and have a follow-up test at another location. The technician has a better chance of more closely matching the original placement of your body for imaging. 

The full report will give you a T-score which shows how much your bone density differs from the mean or average. For DXAs, the mean is based on a composite of average healthy 30-year-olds. The T-score is a statistical comparison to peak bone mass at age 30.

Think of T-scores as a bell shaped curve divided into standard deviations from the mean. Peak bone mass is zero. The normal range is from -1.0 to +3.0 and higher. Osteoporosis is 2.5 standard deviations below the mean or zero (-2.5). What’s in between those two ranges is called low bone density.

Normal = T-score greater than -1
Osteopenia/Low bone density = T-score from -1.1 to -2.4
Osteoporosis = T-score of -2.5 and lower
Severe or established osteoporosis = T-score of osteoporosis + low impact fracture

Note: Even if your T-score places you in the low bone mass range, if you have an osteoporotic fracture you are considered to have osteoporosis. Source: American Bone Health. Link: https://americanbonehealth.org/frequently-asked-questions/. Field: Rheumatology. Disease: Ostoeporosis </s>