Preosteoporosis: What is it?
Coined just 15 years ago, the term osteopenia (or preosteoporosis) describes bone densities that are lower than normal. It is not a disease. But rather a descriptive term to identify people who are starting to lose bone mass. Osteoporosis, which can be an outcome of osteopenia, is a known as the silent disease because it has no outward symptoms until a bone breaks. Ten million Americans, 80 percent of them women, have osteoporosis. But the number of people on their way to osteoporosis is much higher: 44 million Americans—33 million women and 11 million men—have osteopenia.
How do I find if I have it?
A noninvasive bone density scan measures bone strength. Bone density scans are rated by something called a T score. Normal bone density is anything above a T score of 1. Osteopenia starts at a score of -1, but it is not really a concern until the score drops to between -1.5 and -2. Osteoporosis is diagnosed at -2.5.
Should I get tested?
Because osteoporosis overwhelmingly affects women, all women should have a bone density test by age 65. Younger women should get tested if they have entered menopause and have any additional risk factors. These include a personal or family history of fractures; smoking, drinking in excess: taking corticosteroid or thyroid medications; or having type 1 diabetes or chronic liver or kidney disease. Men who pursue exclusively non-weight-bearing exercise program such as serious cyclists, any also want to get tested.
A recent study found that even very fit male cyclists could be at high risk for developing osteoporosis later in life if they pursued no other forms of physical activity.
Coined just 15 years ago, the term osteopenia (or preosteoporosis) describes bone densities that are lower than normal. It is not a disease. But rather a descriptive term to identify people who are starting to lose bone mass. Osteoporosis, which can be an outcome of osteopenia, is a known as the silent disease because it has no outward symptoms until a bone breaks. Ten million Americans, 80 percent of them women, have osteoporosis. But the number of people on their way to osteoporosis is much higher: 44 million Americans—33 million women and 11 million men—have osteopenia.
How do I find if I have it?
A noninvasive bone density scan measures bone strength. Bone density scans are rated by something called a T score. Normal bone density is anything above a T score of 1. Osteopenia starts at a score of -1, but it is not really a concern until the score drops to between -1.5 and -2. Osteoporosis is diagnosed at -2.5.
Should I get tested?
Because osteoporosis overwhelmingly affects women, all women should have a bone density test by age 65. Younger women should get tested if they have entered menopause and have any additional risk factors. These include a personal or family history of fractures; smoking, drinking in excess: taking corticosteroid or thyroid medications; or having type 1 diabetes or chronic liver or kidney disease. Men who pursue exclusively non-weight-bearing exercise program such as serious cyclists, any also want to get tested.
A recent study found that even very fit male cyclists could be at high risk for developing osteoporosis later in life if they pursued no other forms of physical activity.
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