T-score: What It Means for Bone Health and How It Guides Treatment

When you get a T-score, a measure of bone mineral density compared to a healthy 30-year-old adult. Also known as bone density score, it’s the single most important number your doctor uses to decide if you have weak bones or are at risk for fractures. This isn’t just a lab result—it’s a warning sign, a green light, or a call to action for your long-term health.

It’s measured using a DXA scan, a quick, low-radiation X-ray that checks bone density in the hip and spine. The number you get tells you how much bone mass you’ve lost since your peak. A T-score of -1.0 or higher is normal. Between -1.0 and -2.5 means you have low bone mass—sometimes called osteopenia. Anything below -2.5 is osteoporosis, and that’s when your risk of breaking a bone jumps significantly. This isn’t just about age. Women after menopause, people on long-term steroids, those with rheumatoid arthritis, or anyone who’s had a fracture after age 50 should know their T-score.

It’s not just about the number. Your doctor looks at it with your history: have you fallen? Are you taking medication that affects bones? Do you smoke or drink heavily? A T-score of -2.8 might mean nothing if you’re active and never fell, but it’s urgent if you’ve broken a wrist from a minor trip. That’s why treatment isn’t one-size-fits-all. Some people with osteoporosis don’t need pills—they need exercise, vitamin D, and fall prevention. Others need drugs like bisphosphonates or denosumab to rebuild bone. The T-score tells you where you stand, but your full picture tells you what to do next.

You’ll find real stories here: how someone lowered their T-score with diet and walking, why a woman avoided a hip fracture by starting treatment early, and how a man with prostate cancer on hormone therapy kept his bones strong. You’ll also see what happens when people ignore their T-score—until they break a vertebra or collarbone from a sneeze. These aren’t abstract cases. They’re people who found out too late. The posts below give you the facts you need to understand your own score, know when to push for a scan, and make smart choices before it’s too late.