The results of your bone density test will help your healthcare provider decide what you can do to prevent broken bones. Your healthcare provider will also look at your risk factors for osteoporosis, your likelihood of breaking a bone, your medical history and your current health.

Below are treatment guidelines for postmenopausal women and men age 50 or older:

• Normal bone density. Most people with normal bone density, or T-scores of -1 and above, do not need to take an osteoporosis medicine.

• Low bone density (osteopenia). People with low bone density, or T-scores between -1 and -2.5, should consider taking an osteoporosis medicine when they have certain risk factors for osteoporosis and broken bones. FRAX can be used to estimate the chance that a patient will break a hip or other major bone in the next 10 years. This information can help to decide if a person with low bone density should take an osteoporosis medicine.

• Osteoporosis. All people with osteoporosis, or T-scores of -2.5 and below, should consider taking an osteoporosis medicine.  

• Certain broken bones. All people who have broken a hip or bones in the spine should consider taking an osteoporosis medicine.