Bone density and body composition in one low-dose scan, and the questions to bring to the physician who reviews it
A DEXA scan uses low-dose X-rays to measure how dense your bones are. Some scanners also estimate body composition, meaning how fat, lean tissue, and bone are distributed across the body. The test has long been used to assess bone health, and it is now offered in many private settings too.
This guide covers what the scan does and does not show, who is typically offered one, and how to read the results with a physician. Perfect.Live does not provide medical services. We arrange access to vetted specialists and coordinate the visits, and a physician decides what is appropriate.
The scan is named for the technology behind it. The NHS explains that dual energy X-ray absorptiometry passes X-rays through the body, special detectors measure how much radiation passes through the bones, and a computer calculates the result. Your bone density is then compared with that of a healthy young adult, or with an adult of your own age, gender, and ethnicity.
A whole-body scan can go further. A review of the method describes it as measuring bone mass and soft-tissue composition, including regional measures, which is why it appears in sports and wellness settings as well as in osteoporosis care. It is worth remembering that the same scan can answer two different questions, and that a physician decides which one matters in your case.
The NHS says you may need a bone density scan if you are over 50 with a risk of osteoporosis, or under 50 with other risk factors, such as smoking or a previous broken bone. MedlinePlus adds that most women aged 65 and over are candidates, and that men and younger people may be screened when risk factors are present.
On radiation, the NHS describes bone density scans as very safe, using a much lower level of radiation than standard X-rays. The review quoted above puts a single whole-body scan at under 10 microsieverts, similar to the background radiation received in one day at sea level. The NHS does not recommend the scan during pregnancy.
A scan usually takes between 10 and 30 minutes, according to MedlinePlus. Clinics set their own DEXA scan preparation instructions, so follow them closely. MedlinePlus notes that you may be asked to stop calcium supplements for 24 to 48 hours beforehand and to avoid clothing with metal parts.
The NHS says results are usually used alongside a fracture risk assessment, which is a reminder that the number is one input rather than a verdict. MedlinePlus describes the scoring: a T-score of -1.0 or higher is considered normal, a score between -1.1 and -2.4 suggests low bone density, and -2.5 or lower indicates osteoporosis. Younger people are usually given a Z-score instead.
DEXA scan results for body composition are best read in the same spirit. They are a snapshot, and a physician can place them in the context of your history, your goals, and any previous scans. A single figure rarely tells the whole story.
Two practical questions come up often. DEXA scan cost varies by provider and country, so ask for a written quotation that states exactly what is included, including the physician’s report. And a DEXA scan near you is easy to find online, but the better question is who reads the result and who explains it to you.
Tell us where and when you would like your scan, and we will arrange it
We arrange access to vetted imaging specialists and coordinate the appointment around a calendar that cannot move. Where a DEXA scan forms part of a wider screening day, we organise the sequence so that your visit is a single, unhurried one, and we make sure the report reaches the physician who will explain it. We do not choose the scan or interpret the result. It sits naturally within our Longevity service, alongside a private health screening and a VO2 max test.
A DEXA scan is most often used to diagnose or assess the risk of osteoporosis, as the NHS explains. A whole-body version can also report body composition
Low-dose X-rays pass through the body, detectors measure how much is absorbed by bone and soft tissue, and a computer turns the data into measurements. The NHS calls the technique dual energy X-ray absorptiometry
The NHS describes bone density scans as very safe, with a much lower radiation level than standard X-rays. It does not recommend them during pregnancy, so tell the clinic if there is any chance you are pregnant
Follow your clinic’s instructions. MedlinePlus notes you may be asked to pause calcium supplements for 24 to 48 hours and to avoid clothing with metal parts
A physician should. Results are usually read alongside a fracture risk assessment. Perfect.Live does not interpret medical results
