Stages of osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is not staged like cancer, but doctors use bone density and fracture history to describe severity.

By bone density (DEXA T-score)

• Normal: T-score of -1.0 or higher
• Osteopenia (low bone mass): between -1.0 and -2.5
• Osteoporosis: -2.5 or lower
• Severe or established osteoporosis: -2.5 or lower with one or more fragility fractures

The T-score compares your bone density to a healthy young adult. A lower number means weaker bone.

How it usually progresses

• Bone mass peaks around age 30
• Slow loss begins after about age 35 to 40
• Loss speeds up in the first 5 to 7 years after menopause
• Fracture risk rises with age and with previous fractures

Fracture risk tools

FRAX estimates your 10-year chance of a major fracture using age, sex, weight, history and DEXA. Doctors use it, along with T-score, to decide on treatment.

Ayurvedic view

Traditional texts describe progressive depletion of tissues (Dhatu-kshaya) with age. This is an interpretive idea and not a medical staging.

What changes with stage

Osteopenia usually calls for lifestyle steps and monitoring. Osteoporosis or a fragility fracture often calls for medicines as well.

See a doctor if your DEXA is in the low range, or you have had a fracture after age 50.

When to get help

Speak with your doctor or an orthopaedic, endocrinology or rheumatology clinic if you have had a fracture from a minor fall, lose height, or develop a stooped back. Checking bone health early, with a DEXA scan where advised, lets you start the right plan before a break happens.

Remember

Staging by T-score and fractures helps decide who needs medicine. Lifestyle helps at every stage.