HomeHealth TopicsBones Joints MusclesBone Density
Back to Bones Joints Muscles
Bone Density
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Bones Joints Muscles

Bone Density

Bone density measures the amount of calcium and other minerals in bone; low density can lead to osteoporosis.

Overview

Your bones are made of living tissue. To keep them strong, your body breaks down old bone and replaces it with new bone. But when more bone is broken down than replaced, you lose bone density, also called bone mass. Bone density is a measure of the amount of calcium and other minerals in bone. Bones containing more minerals are denser. They tend to be stronger and less likely to fracture (break).

Losing bone density can weaken your bones. In some cases, it can lead to osteoporosis. This is a disease which can make your bones more likely to break. Low bone density that is not low enough to be osteoporosis is sometimes called osteopenia.

Causes & Risk Factors

Your bones become less dense as you age. Other factors can also make you more likely to lose bone mass, such as:

  • A family history of osteoporosis or low bone mass
  • Not developing good bone mass when you are young
  • Having certain medical conditions, such as:
    • Endocrine diseases
    • Certain digestive diseases
    • Rheumatoid arthritis
    • Certain types of cancer
    • HIV
    • Anorexia nervosa, a type of eating disorder
  • Taking certain medicines, such as:
    • Corticosteroids
    • Proton pump inhibitors (which treat GERD)
    • Medicines to treat epilepsy
  • Smoking tobacco
  • Long-term heavy alcohol use
  • Physical inactivity or prolonged periods of bedrest

Not everyone who has low bone mass gets osteoporosis, but they are at higher risk for developing it.

Diagnosis

A bone density scan is the best way to measure your bone health. It compares your bone density, or mass, to that of a healthy person who is the same age and sex as you are. It can show:

  • Whether you have low bone density
  • Whether you have osteoporosis, a disease that makes your bones weak
  • Your risk for breaking bones
  • Whether your osteoporosis treatment is working

Prevention & Management

To help keep your bones strong and help prevent osteoporosis, the best thing to do is to eat a healthy diet rich in calcium and vitamin D. Getting regular physical activity, limiting alcohol, and not smoking can also help. In some cases, your health care provider may prescribe medicines to prevent osteoporosis.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most guidelines recommend a baseline DEXA scan for women over 65 and men over 70. However, younger individuals should be tested if they have risk factors such as a history of fractures, long-term use of corticosteroids, early menopause, or a family history of hip fractures. If your initial scan shows normal bone density, you may only need to repeat the test every 5 to 10 years. If you have osteopenia or osteoporosis, your doctor will likely recommend rescan every 1 to 2 years to monitor treatment effectiveness. What specific lifestyle changes can help maintain bone density, and are supplements like calcium and vitamin D enough?::Lifestyle changes are critical for bone health. Weight-bearing exercises like walking, jogging, or dancing, along with resistance training, stimulate bone formation. Adequate protein intake is also essential. While calcium and vitamin D supplements can help meet daily requirements, they are not a substitute for exercise. Additionally, limiting alcohol consumption, avoiding smoking, and maintaining a healthy body weight are important, as both being underweight and being obese can negatively impact bone health. What does a T-score of -1.5 mean, and how is it different from a T-score of -2.5?::A T-score compares your bone density to that of a healthy young adult. A T-score of -1.5 indicates osteopenia, which means your bone density is lower than normal but not low enough to be classified as osteoporosis. This stage is a warning sign that you are at higher risk for fractures and should take preventive measures. A T-score of -2.5 or lower indicates osteoporosis, a condition where bones are significantly weakened and fragile, requiring more aggressive medical treatment to prevent fractures. Does a bone density scan involve radiation, and is it safe to have multiple scans over time?::A DEXA scan uses a very low dose of radiation, significantly less than a standard chest X-ray. The amount of radiation is so low that it is considered safe for repeated testing, even annually if necessary. The scan is non-invasive, painless, and takes only a few minutes. There are no specific preparation requirements, such as fasting, and you can continue taking your regular medications unless your doctor advises otherwise.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

kontakt@hittavard.se

Ⓒ 2024. Alla rättigheter förbehålls av juxt ab

Sök
Om ossVillkor och policyVanliga frågorKontakta oss