The T-score measures your current bone density. A score of -1 and above means your bone density is normal. Anything between -1 and -2.5 indicates osteopenia. A score of -2.5 or below means that it is very likely that you have osteoporosis.

What is a bad Z-score for osteoporosis?

“Osteopenia(bone mass lower than normal peak bone mass) is below minus one to minus 2.5. Lower than minus 2.5 is osteoporosis.” A negative Z score means you have thinner bones than the average of others in your age group; positive means you have better.

What is the Z-score for severe osteoporosis?

Severe (established) osteoporosis is defined as having a bone density that is more than 2.5 SD below the young adult mean with one or more past fractures due to osteoporosis. Secondly, your BMD is compared to an age-matched norm. This is called your Z-score.

When do you use Z-score DEXA?

A Z-score is helpful in diagnosing secondary osteoporosis and is always used for children, young adults, women who are pre-menopausal, and men under age 50.

Which is better high or low z-score?

A high z -score means a very low probability of data above this z -score. Note that if z -score rises further, area under the curve fall and probability reduces further. A low z -score means a very low probability of data below this z -score. The figure below shows the probability of z -score below −2.5 .

What is z score range?

A z-score is also known as a standard score and it can be placed on a normal distribution curve. Z-scores range from -3 standard deviations (which would fall to the far left of the normal distribution curve) up to +3 standard deviations (which would fall to the far right of the normal distribution curve).

What does Z score mean in osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis was defined by the World Health Organization in 1994 as a T-score that is 25% lower than the average 30 year old or 2½ standard deviations below the mean or a T-SCORE LOWER THAN -2.5. Some people have low bone density. You may hear this called osteopenia.

What is z score in bone scan?

The T-score is a comparison of a person’s bone density with that of a healthy 30-year-old of the same sex. The Z-score is a comparison of a person’s bone density with that of an average person of the same age and sex.

What is the z score in osteoporosis?

As shown in the table below, a T-score between +1 and −1 is considered normal or healthy. A T-score between −1 and −2.5 indicates that you have low bone mass, although not low enough to be diagnosed with osteoporosis. A T-score of −2.5 or lower indicates that you have osteoporosis.