What is osteopenia?

Osteopenia in your reports

On a DEXA report, osteopenia shows as a T-score between -1.0 and -2.4, as listed by MedlinePlus. It may also be written as 'low bone mass' or 'low bone density'.

Why osteopenia matters

Osteopenia usually has no symptoms, so most women find out from a bone density scan.

It matters because it:

• raises your chance of breaking a bone from a small fall or bump
• can progress to osteoporosis if nothing changes

Women are more likely to have it than men, especially after menopause, and about one in three adults over 50 has some bone loss. The risk also goes up with:

• smoking and heavy drinking
• thyroid problems, diabetes or kidney disease
• low calcium or vitamin D
• some long-term medicines

What helps with osteopenia

This is the stage where daily habits do the most good.

• Get calcium from foods like milk, dahi, paneer, ragi, til and green leafy sabzis, and vitamin D from safe sunlight and food.
• Eat enough protein.
• Stay active with walking, yoga and strength exercises, which tell your bones to stay strong.
• Limit alcohol and stop smoking.

Your doctor may suggest supplements, though most people with osteopenia don't need prescription medicine.