Dexa scan

DEXA Bone Scan

Women are at greater risk of breaking bones as they age because a lack of oestrogen causes bones to lose their density or strength and become more fragile. If you have a family history of osteoporosis or are concerned your bones might be losing their strength, a DEXA scan is a safe and quick scan to measure how strong your bones are. If you have a scan every 2-5 years, the results can guide experts to adjust relevant treatments to minimise further weakening and help restore the strength of your bones for the future.

The DEXA (Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) scan is open to anyone, of any age concerned about their bone health. It is a painless 30-45 minute appointment, with extremely low dose radiation exposure, and you remain fully dressed throughout the scan.
Reassurance and instruction will be given throughout and at no time will you be left alone during the procedure. The scan does not involve going into a ‘tunnel’ like an MRI scan, and no injections are necessary. You will simply be asked to lie down and a scanning arm will slowly be passed over your spine and legs.

Scan results are sent to Professor David Reid who is a leading consultant in bone health and osteoporosis, who will provide a detailed report to your Newson Health doctor (if you have one) and you will receive a copy of the report too.

Read more information about the DEXA scan or listen to our podcast.

DEXA Body Composition

Body fat and muscle mass are best measured with a DEXA body scan. We use the DEXA scan machine to measure bone strength (density), but it can also be used to provide an accurate and precise measurement of body fat and muscle distribution.

It works by sending a low x-ray beam that accounts for two compositions within your body, one calculates soft tissue and the other calculates bone. The main goal of the scan is to provide you with an in-depth analysis of the main components of your body – fat, muscle and bone.

The visceral fat is your ‘internal’ fat around your organs and studies have shown that people with higher amounts of visceral fat are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

If you’re beginning a diet or fitness programme, having a DEXA body composition scan early on in your journey will enable you to monitor the changes in body fat and muscle mass in your arms, legs and trunk.

Having a DEXA body scan is quick, comfortable and very safe, the dose of X-ray is less than one day’s normal background (environmental) radiation and far lower than the radiation from normal X-rays or CT scans.

Your scan will be reviewed and reported by Professor David Reid who is a Consultant Rheumatologist and a leading expert in reporting on DEXA scans.

Prices for theses scan are available here.