A DEXA T-score of -2.1 at the lumbar spine indicates which category?

• A. Osteoporosis
• B. Normal
• C. Osteopenia
• D. Severe osteoporosis

Answer: (C)

A T-score shows how your bone density compares to that of a healthy young adult, expressed as standard deviations from the young adult mean. A score of -2.1 means the bone density is 2.1 standard deviations below that reference. The typical thresholds are: normal is -1.0 or higher, osteopenia is between -1.0 and -2.5, osteoporosis is -2.5 or lower, and severe osteoporosis is osteoporosis with a fragility fracture. So, -2.1 falls into the osteopenia range. It’s not low enough to be osteoporosis, and it’s not normal because it’s below -1.0. Osteopenia indicates reduced bone mass and a higher fracture risk than normal, with management focused on risk reduction and lifestyle measures, and treatment considered based on overall fracture risk.