Osteopenia or low bone density defined by a T-score between -1.0 and -2.5 standard deviations on a bone density DXA scan does not provide the answer alone. Instead these results are used along with your health history to provide a more accurate assessment of your fracture risk. If you are indeed at “high risk, then you should weigh the benefits versus the risks of treatment options with your doctor.
Assess Risk of Fracture
The results of your bone density scan are combined with your clinical risk factors to assess your risk of fracture. Your risk may range from low to high pending on your age, gender, height, weight, and selected clinical risk factors for fracture. A tool called FRAX is used to calculate your 10-year risk of major fractures and hip fracture. This is useful starting point for you and your doctor to talk about your individual risk of fracture.
Treatment Guidelines
Whether you would benefit from prescription treatment for low bone mass depends on your risk and overall health assessment. Treatment with an FDA-approved medicine for osteoporosis is recommended for those with low bone mass who are at high risk for fracture.
The National Osteoporosis Foundation guidelines identify high-risk individuals with low bone mass (T-score between -1.0 and -2.5 standard deviations) using the fracture risk assessment tool FRAX . Either a ten-year probability of major osteoporotic fracture of 20% or greater or a ten-year probability of hip fracture of 3% a greater are categorized as high risk.
If you fall with in these criteria or have other risk factors that put you at greater risk for fracture, you should discuss your treatment options with your doctor in order to lower your risk of a future fracture.