What is osteopenia?

Osteopenia is a bone condition characterized by a decreased density of bone,

which leads to bone weakening and an increased risk of breaking a bone
(fracture).

Osteopenia vs. osteoporosis

Osteopenia and osteoporosis are related conditions. The difference between

osteopenia and osteoporosis is that in osteopenia the bone loss is not as severe
as in osteoporosis. That means someone with osteopenia is more likely to
fracture a bone than someone with a normal bone density but is less likely to
fracture a bone than someone with osteoporosis.

Diagnosis using DEXA T scores between -1.0 and -2.5 indicate osteopenia. T
scores lower than -2.5 indicate osteoporosis

What Are Causes and Risk Factors for

Osteopenia?
Risk factors for osteopenia include a family history of osteoporosis, previous
low-impact bone fracture, smoking, rheumatoid arthritis, Asian descent, thin
body habitus, corticosteroid (prednisone or prednisolone) usage, low estrogen
in women, low testosterone in men, malabsorption conditions (such as celiac
disease), and regular alcohol intake. A person who has a diet that is low
in vitamin D and calcium may be more likely to develop osteopenia.

What Are Symptoms and Signs of

Osteopenia?
Osteopenia usually causes no symptoms. That means that osteopenia is
frequently not detected unless a person has a bone density test. When
osteopenia does cause symptoms, there may be localized bone pain and
weakness in an area of breakage of bone (bone fracture). Interestingly,
sometimes even bone fracture can occur without causing pain.

What Are Treatments and Medications for

Osteopenia?
A primary treatment for osteopenia is exercise. Exercise has two essential
benefits, both by directly stimulating stronger bone and indirectly in fall
prevention. Therefore, weight-bearing exercise and strengthening exercise is
recommended. Lifestyle modifications are also crucial to optimal bone health
and include smoking cessation as well as avoiding excessive alcohol.

Supplementation with calcium and vitamin D is also part of the treatment

protocol. Optimal dosing of vitamin D can be assured by measuring vitamin D
in blood testing.

Not every person requires additional prescription medications for their

osteopenia. Medications that are used to treat osteopenia include
bisphosphonate medications, such
as alendronate (Fosamax), ibandronate(Boniva), zoledronate (Reclast),
and risedronate (Actonel), as well as raloxifene (Evista).

Medication may include a class of drugs called bisphosphonates that work by

preventing bone reabsorption. For people whose bone density has
progresssed to the level of osteoporosis, doctors may prescribe medication,
such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT).