Understanding Your DEXA Scan: What Do the Results Actually Mean?
Bone health becomes increasingly important as we move through perimenopause, postmenopause, and the later stages of life. Many women have a DEXA scan and receive results like –1.6 or –2.5, but the numbers can feel unclear without guidance.
This article explains DEXA scan results in plain English so you can better understand what they mean for your long-term bone strength.
What is a DEXA scan?
A DEXA scan is a low-radiation X-ray that measures the mineral content of your bones. It usually looks at the spine, hip, and sometimes the forearm because these areas best predict fracture risk.
The scan itself is quick (10–20 minutes) and non-invasive — you lie on a comfortable table while the scanner moves over you.
DEXA is considered the gold standard for diagnosing osteoporosis and monitoring changes in bone density over time.
Understanding Standard Deviations in DEXA Scans
DEXA results are reported using a T-score, which tells us how far a person’s bone mineral density (BMD) is from the average BMD of a sex-matched healthy young adult in units of standard deviation (SD).
What is a standard deviation (SD)?
In statistics, 1 SD represents how much variation there is around an average (mean) in a population.
When applied to bone density, it reflects how much an individual’s BMD differs from the “ideal peak bone mass” population (healthy adults aged 20–30).
So:
0 SD = exactly average compared to a young, healthy population
−1 SD = one standard deviation below the young healthy average
−2.5 SD = 2.5 standard deviations below the young healthy average
As BMD drops further below the reference average, fracture risk increases significantly.
Why bone density below the average matters
Large population studies show a consistent pattern:
For every 1 SD drop in bone density, fracture risk increases by 1.5–3 times.
Hip fracture risk roughly doubles with each SD below the young-adult baseline.
Vertebral fracture risk increases 2–3× per SD loss.
This predictable increase in risk is why T-scores are presented using standard deviations — they help clinicians understand how your fracture risk changes as bone density moves away from the young-adult reference point.
The WHO diagnostic ranges
The World Health Organization uses the following T-score thresholds:
T-Score / Meaning (compared to a healthy young adult)
≥ –1.0 / Normal bone density
–1.0 to –2.5 / Osteopenia (bone density is lower than optimal)
≤ –2.5 / Osteoporosis (bone density is significantly below optimal)
A DEXA scan offers valuable information, but it forms only one part of your overall bone-health picture.
Putting Your DEXA Score in Context
Bone density is only one part of fracture risk. Other factors also matter, including:
Family history
Age
Medications
Hormonal changes
Fall risk
Nutrition and vitamin D
Menopause timing
A DEXA scan gives valuable information, but it sits within a bigger picture of health.
How physiotherapy can support bone health
If your T-score is in the osteopenia range (–1 to –2.5)
Exercise may help support or maintain bone density over time. Helpful approaches include:
Progressive strength training
Weight-bearing exercise
Pilates for posture, hip strength and spinal control
Balance training to reduce falls risk
If your T-score is ≤ –2.5 (osteoporosis)
Movement is still safe and valuable when guided well. Physiotherapy can support:
Strength work that respects spinal safety
Targeted balance training
Posture and mobility strategies
Confidence with daily activities
Exercise can support strength, mobility, and falls prevention — all of which influence real-world fracture risk.
A brief note on Z-scores
You may also see a Z-score on your report.
This compares your bone density with someone of your age, sex, and ethnicity.
Z-scores are most useful in younger adults and premenopausal women.
For most women in midlife and postmenopause, T-scores are the standard measure.
When to seek guidance
If you've recently received a DEXA result, or are unsure what it means for your exercise routine, a physiotherapy assessment can help place the information into context and guide safe, effective movement strategies.
At Balanced, we aim to help women understand their bone health so they can move with confidence at every stage of life.