Decreased bone density

What is decreased bone density?

Decreased bone density, also known as osteopenia or osteoporosis, occurs when the struts and plates that make up bone tissue become thinner and the spaces between them grow wider. This causes the internal structure of bones to become less dense and subsequently more fragile and prone to fracturing.

Some key points about decreased bone density:

• It often develops without symptoms, so many people don't know they have it until a minor fall or sudden impact causes a broken bone. Getting a bone mineral density (BMD) test is important for detection.


• Both men and women lose bone density with age, but it is more common in postmenopausal women due to estrogen deficiency. Other risk factors include family history, poor nutrition, smoking, and lack of exercise.


• Frequent sites for osteoporotic fractures are the hip, wrist, and spine. These can cause chronic pain, disability, and loss of independence.


• Treatment focuses on preventing further bone loss through lifestyle changes and sometimes medications. Weight-bearing exercise, calcium/vitamin D supplements, not smoking, and medication can help slow bone loss.

If you're concerned about bone health, the medical professionals at Renewal Hormone Clinic can assess your risk of osteoporosis and create a customized bone density maintenance plan. Our integrative services combine nutrition planning, pharmaceutical-grade supplements, bioidentical hormone therapy, and fitness coaching to support strong, fracture-resistant bones throughout aging. Contact us today to schedule your evaluation.

Now onto some commonly asked questions about decreased bone density:

How is bone density measured?

The gold standard test is a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan, which compares the bone mineral density in different parts of your skeleton to that expected in a healthy young adult. This painless scan can detect osteopenia and osteoporosis before fractures happen.

What are the stages of low bone density?

There are three main classifications:

1. Osteopenia - mild bone loss with a T-score between -1.0 and -2.5


2. Osteoporosis - more advanced bone loss with a T-score below -2.5


3. Established or severe osteoporosis - osteoporosis with one or more bone fractures

How can I prevent bone loss?

• Consume adequate calcium and vitamin D


• Perform regular weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercises


• Avoid smoking and excess alcohol


• Have medications reviewed, as some contribute to bone loss


• Have hormone levels tested, especially thyroid, parathyroid and sex hormones

The preventative health providers at Renewal Hormone Clinic can help assess your bone density status along with nutritional needs, fitness level, and hormone balance to create a personalized bone loss prevention protocol.

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