Osteopenia is defined by what T-score range on DXA?

• A. A T-score between -1.0 and -2.5
• B. A T-score between -0.5 and -1.5
• C. A T-score between -2.5 and -3.5
• D. A T-score between -1.0 and -0.5

Answer: (A)

DXA uses a T-score to compare a person’s bone mineral density with that of a healthy young adult. This score helps categorize bone health: normal density is about -1.0 or higher, osteoporosis is -2.5 or lower, and osteopenia sits in between. Therefore, osteopenia is defined by a T-score from -1.0 down to -2.5, indicating lower density than normal but not low enough to meet osteoporosis criteria. The other ranges describe either normal bone density or osteoporosis, or fall outside the established osteopenia interval.