What is a DEXA reading?
6 min read
Asked by: Sam Briggs
DXA Scan Results It shows how much higher or lower your bone density is than that of a healthy 30-year-old, the age when bones are at their strongest. The lower your score, the weaker your bones are: T-score of -1.0 or above = normal bone density. T-score between -1.0 and -2.5 = low bone density, or osteopenia.
What is a normal healthy DEXA score?
It is important to understand a T score of -1 and above is perfectly normal once over 50. A T score between -1 and -2.5 indicates lower than normal bone density for age – this is referred to as osteopenia. A score lower than -2.5 indicates significant bone loss – 25% or more and this is classified as osteoporosis.
What can a DEXA scan tell you?
Bone density scans, also known as DEXA scans, help to work out your risk of breaking a bone. They’re often used to help diagnose bone-related health problems, such as osteoporosis, or to assess the risk of getting them.
What is normal bone density for a 70 year old woman?
It is recommended that women < 70 years old are treated if the bone mineral density T-score is below -2.5. For women > or = 70 years of age, a lower cut-off point has been chosen, i.e. a Z-score below -1.
How can I increase my bone density after 60?
5 ways to build strong bones as you age
- Think calcium. Women up to age 50 and men up to age 70 need 1,000 milligrams daily; women over 50 and men over 70 should get 1,200 milligrams daily.
- And vitamin D. …
- Exercise. …
- Don’t smoke. …
- Drink alcohol moderately, if at all. …
- Remember protein. …
- Maintain an appropriate body weight.
What number is considered severe osteoporosis?
A T-score of −2.5 or lower indicates that you have osteoporosis. The greater the negative number, the more severe the osteoporosis.
The T-score.
| Level | Definition |
|---|---|
| Osteoporosis | Bone density is 2.5 SD or more below the young adult mean (−2.5 SD or lower). |
Does arthritis show up on a DEXA scan?
A bone density test isn’t typically used to diagnose arthritis. Instead, it’s most often used to diagnose early signs of bone loss or osteoporosis.
What happens if your bone density is low?
Low bone density can lead to serious medical conditions that could result in bone fractures. The most worrisome condition is osteoporosis, where low bone density causes holes inside the bone to widen and the outer walls of the bone (the cortex) to thin. This causes the bone to be more fragile.
Can a DEXA scan show a tumor?
While a DEXA scan isn’t typically used to diagnose cancer, it can provide your care team with important information to help them determine whether additional testing is needed. Using low levels of X-rays, the DEXA scan examines the entire skeleton or specific points on the body, such as the spine or hip.
Does walking increase bone density?
By simply taking regular brisk walks, you can improve your bone density and reduce your risk of hip fractures.
Are bananas good for osteoporosis?
As all these nutrients play an essential role for your health, they also improve your bone density. Eat pineapple, strawberries, oranges, apples, bananas and guavas. All these fruits are loaded with vitamin C, which in turn, strengthen your bones.
Is coffee bad for your bones?
Caffeine leaches calcium from bones, sapping their strength. “You lose about 6 milligrams of calcium for every 100 milligrams of caffeine ingested,” Massey says. That’s not as much of a loss as salt, but it’s worrisome, nonetheless.
Does drinking water help your bones?
Water lubricates joints and helps bring calcium and other nutrients to your bones. Although they may appear to be, bones are not dry. In fact, they are about 30 percent water, so the amount of water you drink helps keep bones and bone marrow functioning the way they should.
Is oatmeal good for bones?
The combination of minerals within oats makes them great for promoting bone mineral density. Oats are high in calcium, copper, zinc and magnesium – all things that are found within your bones and are essential for keeping them strong and healthy.
Which fruit is best for bones?
Food rich in vitamin C such as oranges, orange juice, bananas, plantains, prunes, grapefruits, strawberries, papaya, pineapples, and guava. Fruit juices that contain calcium and vitamin D. Fruits rich in vitamin K such as blueberries, raspberries, plums, grapes, and figs are good for bones.
What foods destroy bone density?
5 Foods That Weaken Bones
- Alcohol. When you drink, alcohol acts like a calcium-blocker, preventing the bone-building minerals you eat from being absorbed. …
- Soft Drinks. …
- Salt. …
- Hydrogenated Oils. …
- Vitamin A-Rich Foods.
Which nuts are best for bones?
Nuts and seeds
Most nuts and seeds boast an impressive nutrient profile, but a select few are especially good for combatting bone degeneration. Macadamia nuts, walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds contain calcium, magnesium, zinc and other essential nutrients.
Is canned tuna good for osteoporosis?
Lean Protein
Salmon and tuna are particularly high in vitamin D, which helps the body process calcium. Skinless chicken and other lean meats also provide a healthy dose of protein to support bone density and tissue growth.
Is peanut butter good for your bones?
Iron and calcium are found in abundance in peanut butter which are important for transporting oxygen in the blood and promoting healthy, strong bones. According to The Orthopedic Group, P.C, “Including healthy protein in your daily diet like peanut butter is a good option to maintain strong bones.”
Are blueberries good for osteoporosis?
Animal studies suggest that blueberries may contain substances known as polyphenols and flavonoids that help the body’s immune system combat the bone loss that can lead to osteoporosis.
Is yogurt good for osteoporosis?
Eating yogurt likely leads to stronger bones and better physical fitness. A new study tracking more than 4,300 adults ages 60 and older found that people who ate yogurt daily experienced a 3 to 4 percent increase in bone mineral density and were significantly less likely to develop osteoporosis.
Is cheese bad for bones?
Building strong bones is a great way to aid in osteoporosis prevention and dairy products are a great way to do that. Foods like cheese, yogurt, and milk all contain the calcium and vitamin D you need to build stronger bones.
Which cheese is best for bones?
The presence of high biological value protein and calcium highly bioavailable, make the Parmesan cheese a “functional food” for bone health and osteoporosis prevention.
What milk should you drink if you have osteoporosis?
Skim or fat-free milk
An 8-ounce cup of skim milk contains 325 mg of calcium, which is nearly a third of the daily adult calcium requirement. Skim milk also has higher amounts of vitamins than whole milk because of fortification.
Which alcohol is good for bones?
Milk builds strong bones, but apparently wine helps keep them. According to an Australian study recently published by the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, red wine contributes to stronger bone health in older men.
Which drink is good for bones?
Orange Juice
Often times, orange juice is fortified with nutrients, such as calcium and vitamin D, say Galanis and Dorfman. Thus, drinking some OJ first thing in the morning could be beneficial for strengthening your bones!
