How is osteoporosis measured?

Osteoporosis is measured primarily through bone mineral density (BMD) tests, with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) being the most common method. DEXA scans provide precise measurements of bone density at key sites, such as the hip and spine, and compare these values to a reference population. The results are typically expressed as a T-score, which indicates how much the patient’s bone density deviates from the average peak bone density of a healthy young adult. A T-score of -2.5 or lower is generally indicative of osteoporosis.