Common Questions
How is bone density quantified?
Whatever measurement is used, the instrument measures bone mineral content (in grams) per area unit of bone (cm2). Bone density reading can vary by type of measurement and by manufacturer of the machine. In attempt to standardize reporting, statistical standards have been employed and measurements reported as standard deviations from some normative group. The results are then reported not only as a BMD value but also as a T-Score or a Z-Score.