What is the meaning of the term osteopenia?

Listen to pronunciation. (OS-tee-oh-PEE-nee-uh) A condition in which there is a lower-than-normal bone mass or bone mineral density (the amount of bone mineral contained in a certain amount of bone). Osteopenia is a less severe form of bone loss than osteoporosis.

What is another name for osteopenia?

Osteopenia, preferably known as “low bone mass” or “low bone density”, is a condition in which bone mineral density is low.

What is osteopenia range?

A T-score between -1.0 and -2.5 means you have low bone density or osteopenia. Examples are T-scores of -1.1, -1.6 and -2.4. A T-score of -2.5 or below is a diagnosis of osteoporosis. Examples are T-scores of -2.6, -3.3 and -3.9.

What is the most common cause of osteopenia?

Causes and risk factors of osteopenia Aging is the most common risk factor for osteopenia. After your bone mass peaks, your body breaks down old bone faster than it builds new bone. That means you lose some bone density. Women lose bone more quickly after menopause, due to lower estrogen levels.

How much calcium and vitamin D should I take if I have osteopenia?

Most adults should get between 1,000 and 1,200 milligrams of calcium and 600 to 800 international units (IU) of vitamin D every day. If you aren’t getting enough of these nutrients in your diet and don’t spend much time in the sun, ask your doctor if you should take a supplement.

How fast does osteopenia progress?

Median time of progression to osteopenia was almost 7 years, but in those patients with normal BMD but whose baseline minimum T score was in the “high-risk” tertile, this progression was much faster (<2 years). Similarly, osteopenia progressed to osteoporosis in a quarter of patients.

How quickly does osteopenia progress?

What type of calcium is best for osteopenia?

The two most commonly used calcium products are calcium carbonate and calcium citrate. Calcium carbonate supplements dissolve better in an acid environment, so they should be taken with a meal. Calcium citrate supplements can be taken any time because they do not need acid to dissolve.

How much vitamin D should you take if you have osteopenia?

Due to the relative lack of vitamin D-containing foods, supplements of vitamin D are often necessary to achieve an adequate intake. The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) recommends an intake of 800 to 1000 international units (IU) of vitamin D3 per day for adults over age 50 (NOF 2008).

How is the medical definition of osteopenia defined?

The medical definitions Osteopenia uses the T-score. Remember that T score compares your bone density with persons in their peak bone mass years. How Osteopenia is defined – the real medical definition: If a T score is between +1 and -1, bone density is said to be normal.

What does the T score mean for osteoporosis?

The medical definitions Osteopenia uses the T-score. How Osteopenia is defined – the real medical definition: If a T score is between +1 and -1, bone density is said to be normal. But if a T score is between -1 and -2.5, bone density is said to be Osteopenic. Below -2.5 is defined as Osteoporosis.

How does osteopenia affect the bone mineral density?

Bone mineral density (BMD) is the measurement of how much bone mineral is in your bones. Your BMD estimates the chances of breaking a bone from a normal activity. People who have osteopenia have a lower BMD than normal, but it’s not a disease. However, having osteopenia does increase your chances of developing osteoporosis.

What happens if osteopenia is left untreated?

Osteopenia often occurs together with amenorrhea and eating disorders in female athletes. It can lead to premature osteoporosis if left untreated. Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine.