What is DEXA Scanning?
DEXA (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) scanning is the gold standard in body composition
and bone density measurements. It uses low-dose X-rays to provide a detailed breakdown of:
• Bone density
• Fat mass
• Lean muscle mass
• Visceral fat (the fat surrounding internal organs), which is closely linked to health risks
such as heart disease and metabolic disorders.
The scan identifies where fat and muscle are distributed, highlights muscular imbalances, and
offers insights into associated health risks, such as osteoporosis, hormonal issues, and
visceral fat levels.
Why Choose DEXA for Body Composition and Bone Health?
Body Composition
Visceral Fat Measurement:
- DEXA is one of the few body composition tools that can accurately measure visceral fat, the fat surrounding internal organs. This is critical as excess visceral fat is strongly linked to increased risks of heart disease, diabetes, and other metabolic disorders.
Regional and Tubular Precision:
- DEXA provides unparalleled regional analysis, showing precise fat, lean mass, and bone distribution across specific body areas (e.g., arms, legs, trunk).
- This level of tubular precision surpasses other methods, such as bioelectrical impedance or skinfold measurements, which only offer whole-body averages and lack detailed regional insights.
Detailed Composition Breakdown:
- Separately quantifies fat mass, lean muscle mass, and bone mass to offer a comprehensive view of body composition.
Tracking Fitness and Health Goals:
- Ideal for athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and individuals managing weight or chronic conditions. It provides objective data to track progress in reducing fat or gaining muscle.
Medical and Health Applications:
- Used to guide interventions for obesity, sarcopenia (loss of muscle mass), and metabolic health improvement.
Bone Health
Highly Accurate and Reliable:
- DEXA (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) is the gold standard for measuring bone mineral density (BMD). It provides precise data to diagnose osteoporosis and other critical bone density issues, such as osteopenia (a precursor to osteoporosis) and conditions linked to brittle or weakened bones.
Early Detection of Bone Loss:
- DEXA can detect even minor decreases in bone density, enabling early intervention to prevent fractures, slow the progression of osteoporosis, or address conditions like Paget’s disease or bone deterioration caused by chronic illnesses or medication.
Personalized Treatment Plans:
- DEXA results help healthcare providers tailor treatments, such as calcium and vitamin D supplementation, weight-bearing exercises, or medications (e.g., bisphosphonates) to strengthen bones and prevent further loss.
Who Benefits from a DEXA Scan?
General Health and Preventive Care
- Ideal for individuals managing obesity, diabetes, or metabolic syndrome by measuring visceral fat and overall body composition.
- Beneficial for those at risk of osteoporosis or fractures, providing early detection of bone density loss to prevent complications.
- Helps monitor bone and muscle health, critical for maintaining mobility and independence.
- Provides insights to minimize visceral fat and preserve lean mass, reducing the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes.
- Offers precise body composition analysis to optimize training, track fat loss, and improve muscle development.
- Assists in preventing injuries and supporting recovery by assessing bone health and lean mass.
- Provides actionable insights to address stress-related visceral fat and sedentary lifestyle impacts.
- Enhances productivity and resilience by supporting energy optimization through tailored health strategies.
Test Protocol
Pre-Test Preparation
Verify Patient Eligibility
- Before your scan is confirmed, we will verify your eligibility by ensuring it aligns with the clinical indications, such as assessing bone health, body composition, or fracture risk.
- We will also confirm there are no contraindications, such as pregnancy or recent imaging with contrast materials, to ensure the scan is both safe and effective.
Preparation
- Clothing: Wear tight-fitting athletic clothing (e.g., compression wear, sportswear, fitted underwear). Tight clothing reduces the risk of folds or bunching, which can create shadows or artifacts on the scan images, leading to inaccurate results. We can provide a hospital-style gown if required.
- Remove Accessories: Take off shoes, jewelry, watches, and other accessories.
Testing Phase
- You will lie still on your back on the stationary scanning table for about 4 minutes while the scanning arm moves along the length of the table to capture the images.
Results and Insights
Participants receive a detailed report, including:
DEXA Body Composition Scan
- Body Fat, Lean Mass, and Bone Mass: Total body fat percentage, lean muscle mass, and bone mass measured precisely.
- Adipose Tissue: Differentiates between subcutaneous fat and visceral adipose tissue (VAT), offering critical insights into health risks related to fat distribution.
- Regional Analysis: Detailed breakdown of fat and lean tissue in arms, legs, trunk, and visceral fat (VAT), highlighting metabolic and cardiovascular health risks.
- Health Metrics: Includes Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) and fat distribution insights for personalised health or fitness goals.
DEXA Bone Density Scan
- Bone Mineral Density (BMD): Measured in key areas like the spine, hip, and forearm to assess bone strength.
- T-Scores and Z-Scores: Indicates bone health compared to average young adults (T-score) or peers (Z-score); helps diagnose osteoporosis or osteopenia.
- Fracture Risk Assessment: Predicts the likelihood of fractures based on BMD and clinical guidelines.
As part of your appointment, we will walk you through your results, providing personalised recommendations and actionable steps to help you achieve meaningful improvements.
FAQ
How long does a 3D body Composition Scan take?
- The total appointment will be about 40 minutes long. A body composition scan takes approximately 4–6 minutes, while a bone density scan typically lasts 10–15 minutes.
How should I prepare for the test?
- Wear comfortable, tight-fitting clothing without metal (e.g., no zippers or underwire bras).
- Avoid calcium supplements for 24 hours before the scan.
- Remove all jewellery, belts, and metal objects.
In the Is the scan safe?
- Yes, DEXA scans are extremely safe and use very low levels of radiation. To put it in perspective, the amount of radiation exposure from a DEXA scan is about the same as what you would receive on a 1–2 hour flight or from a single day of natural background radiation on Earth. A typical dental x-ray exposes you about 5-10 times more radiation than a DEXA scan.
How often should I get scanned?
- For bone health: Typically every 1–2 years to monitor changes or treatment progress.
- For body composition: It is recommended to schedule DEXA scans no more frequently than every 6 months to effectively track significant changes and trends in body fat, lean mass, and bone mass. For more frequent monitoring between DEXA scans, we routinely use our 3D Body Scan imaging to track progress.
Can I have a DEXA scan if I’m pregnant?
- No, DEXA scans are not recommended for pregnant individuals due to the exposure to X-rays, even at low levels.
Can I have a DEXA scan if I have a pacemaker?
- Yes, DEXA scanners do not use magnetic fields so they do not interfere with pacemakers. However, it is best to inform us if you have one in advance of the scan.
Can I have a DEXA scan if I have metal implants?
- Yes. The implants (like a hip/knee replacement, etc.) will show up as dense bone on your scan but they will not affect the fat and lean muscle mass data.
Is there a weight limit for the scan?
- Yes, the weight limit for our model of DEXA scanner is 400 lbs (180 kg).