What is osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is loss of bone mineral density that increases fracture risk. It is diagnosed by DXA T-score ≤ −2.5 or by a fragility fracture.
Full answer
Osteoporosis is a silent condition until a fragility fracture occurs. Bone mineral density measured by DXA is the diagnostic standard, with T-scores of −1.0 to −2.5 defining osteopenia and ≤ −2.5 defining osteoporosis. Risk factors include age, post-menopausal estrogen loss, low testosterone, vitamin D insufficiency, low calcium intake, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, and steroid exposure. Within oMeds review, modifiable inputs (vitamin D, sex hormones, resistance training, nutrition) are addressed inside the broader optimization context; pharmacologic therapy is provider-directed.
Educational. Not a substitute for individualized provider review.
- Vitamin D 25-OH — Primary source · oMeds
- Reviewed by Dr. Laura Purdy, MD, MBA · Clinical Director, oMeds · Last reviewed 2026-05-29