DEXA Scan
What is a DEXA scan for bone mineral density and body composition analysis?
The dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan is an imaging test performed to assess the bone density of a patient. It may also be used to determine body composition, such as the percentage of lean muscle and fat. Two low-energy X-ray beams are used to get an image that shows both soft tissue and bone. Many health experts prefer to call it the densitometry test or DXA as it measures the density of bones in certain areas of the body.
A DEXA scan tends to be more accurate than a normal X-ray where doctors need to tell whether a person has low bone density, or whether the condition is worsening. The scan can detect even small changes in bone loss.
What is this test used for?
The most important purpose of a DEXA scan is to measure and assess if the person’s bones are weak or at risk of fracture. It is the quickest and painless way of detecting if the patient has osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a condition wherein bones begin to lose their density and become thin at a rapid pace. More reliable than other methods, the DEXA scan calculates body fat percentage, including underwater weighing.
The results of the scan can further help in determining the amount of visceral fat that the body stores around certain internal organs.
How is it done?
The person will be asked to lie on a special DEXA x-ray table and the DEXA x-ray technician will help position you correctly and may even use positioning devices such as foam blocks to help hold the desired position. Then the arm of the DEXA machine passes over the body, using two different x-ray beams. The radiation is very less to make the test safer and help to distinguish bone from other tissues.
The bone density measurement data translates into pictures and graphs. These results are then reviewed and interpreted by a radiologist. A copy of the results is sent to your healthcare provider to decide the next line of treatment.
Note: You must take out all the wearable metal accessories and belongings during the test. If you consume calcium medication, stop taking it around 24 hours before the scan.
What are the benefits?
Here are some of the benefits of the DEXA scan:
- It gives doctors and patients clarity on whether or not they are suffering from osteoporosis
- It gives people an idea of how healthy their body structure is
- It determines body fat and muscle distribution
- It makes you aware of the recovery from osteoporosis
What are the risks involved in a DEXA scan?
DEXA scan is a safe procedure. The amount of radiation used is very low, and similar to the amount of radiation used in common x-rays.
Pregnant women must always consult their doctors before the DEXA scan.
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