Osteoporosis and Low Bone Density Care for Adults

Osteoporosis is a disease in which the bones lose density and strength, becoming porous and fragile so they break more easily. It is often called a silent disease because it usually causes no symptoms until a bone fractures, sometimes from a minor fall or even a cough. Low bone density, also called osteopenia, is an earlier stage of bone loss that raises fracture risk. Avita MD primary care providers screen for, diagnose, and manage osteoporosis and low bone density for adults in Los Altos, Mountain View, and Los Gatos.

What are the symptoms of osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis usually has no warning signs in its early stages. Many people learn they have it only after a bone breaks. Signs that bone loss may have progressed include:

• A fracture from a minor fall, bump, or twist
• Gradual loss of height
• A stooped or hunched posture
• Back pain from a collapsed or fractured vertebra

Because the disease is silent, screening at the right age matters more than waiting for symptoms.

How does Avita MD diagnose and treat osteoporosis?

At Avita MD, evaluation begins with your history, risk factors, and a physical exam, then a bone density scan, usually a DXA scan, that reports a T-score. We coordinate the imaging and review the results with you. On-site lab testing lets us check calcium, vitamin D, and other markers that affect bone health and rule out conditions that can cause bone loss. Same-day and next-day appointments mean a fracture or new concern can be evaluated quickly.

A T-score tells us where your bone density stands:

T-score	What it means
-1.0 and above	Normal bone density
Between -1.0 and -2.5	Low bone mass (osteopenia)
-2.5 and below	Osteoporosis

Management is tailored to your results and risk. It often includes calcium and vitamin D, weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercise, fall prevention, and stopping smoking and heavy alcohol use. When medication is appropriate, your provider can prescribe and monitor it. We track your bone health over time through longitudinal records and repeat scans as recommended, and we coordinate referrals to endocrinology or rheumatology when bone loss is severe or has an underlying cause. Women’s health needs, including bone changes around menopause, are part of this care.

When should you see a doctor about osteoporosis?

Schedule a visit to discuss bone density screening if you are a woman 65 or older, a man 70 or older, or younger with risk factors such as early menopause, long-term steroid use, a parent who broke a hip, low body weight, or a previous fragility fracture. See a provider promptly if you break a bone from a minor injury, notice you are losing height, or develop new back pain or a hunched posture. Catching low bone density early gives you the best chance to protect your bones and prevent fractures.