Bone density test
Results
Your bone density test results are reported in two numbers: T-score and Z-score.
T-score
Your T-score is your bone density compared with what is normally expected in a healthy young adult of your sex. Your T-score is the number of units — called standard deviations — that your bone density is above or below the average.
| T-score | What your score means |
|---|---|
| -1 and above |
Your bone density is considered normal. |
| Between -1 and -2.5 |
Your score is a sign of osteopenia, a condition in which bone density is below normal and may lead to osteoporosis. |
| -2.5 and below |
Your bone density indicates you likely have osteoporosis. |
Z-score
Your Z-score is the number of standard deviations above or below what's normally expected for someone of your age, sex, weight, and ethnic or racial origin. If your Z-score is significantly higher or lower than the average, you may need additional tests to determine the cause of the problem.
