BMD (Bone Mineral Density) Interpretation

How to Subscribe
MLS & MLT Comprehensive CE Package
Includes 176 CE courses, most popular
$109Add to cart
Pick Your Courses
Up to 8 CE hours
$55Add to cart
Individual course$25Add to cart
Need multiple seats for your university or lab? Get a quote
The page below is a sample from the LabCE course Osteoporosis and the Clinical Laboratory. Access the complete course and earn ASCLS P.A.C.E.-approved continuing education credits by subscribing online.

Learn more about Osteoporosis and the Clinical Laboratory (online CE course)
BMD (Bone Mineral Density) Interpretation

BMD results are expressed as a T-Score. The T-Score relates to a standard normal score (zero) and the patients results are compared to this standard. If bone loss is diagnosed the T-Score will be in the negative, anything above zero indicates healthy bone density. Scores can look like the following:
  • +1 to -1 means your bones are considered normal
  • -1 to -2.5 means you have osteopenia, or low bone density
  • -2.5 or lower means you have osteoporosis
Each decrease by one point indicates bone loss of 10 to 12 percent.