DEXA scans (also referred to as bone density testing or densitometry) measure the thickness of bones to help doctors diagnose osteoporosis, a disease in which bones become fragile and more likely to fracture.
Valley uses cutting-edge PET scanning technology, which displays metabolic processes in your body and can identify cancerous from healthy tissues.
What is a DEXA Scan?
DEXA scans, also referred to as bone density tests or DXA scans, provide a noninvasive and painless way of measuring bone mineral density. A DEXA scan uses two forms of invisible X-rays – one type absorbed by bones while another passes through and reflects back off them – in order to accurately measure your bone mineral density. By calculating their ratio ratio between these numbers and your bones’ mineral density levels, doctors are able to calculate bone density calculations accurately, which provides a straightforward way of seeing if you suffer from osteoporosis or risk.
At a DEXA scan, you lie on an open X-ray table while being assisted by foam blocks to stay still and may ask you to hold your breath briefly for several seconds. After laying still for several minutes, a machine takes pictures of your hips and spine which appear as white bones with shadowed tissues and fat deposits on its computer screen – this process is completely painless and should take between 10 to 30 minutes.
Prior to your appointment, ensure you wear loose, comfortable clothing. Any jewelry can impede on the accuracy of results so it should be stored safely at home or elsewhere prior to the procedure. Also inform the tech if you are pregnant or suspect that you could be as even though DEXA scan radiation exposure is minimal it can still harm an unborn baby.
After your scan, a radiologist will create and send a report back to your doctor, who will then discuss your results with you and inform whether your bone density is normal, low, or high – as well as provide suggestions for decreasing fracture risks in the future.
Your results should arrive within weeks. If they’re abnormal, your doctor may order additional tests to identify what’s causing your bones to weaken – certain health conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or celiac disease as well as specific medications such as steroids or gastric reflux drugs can increase the risk of osteoporosis.
How Does a DEXA Scan Work?
DEXA scans are imaging tests that use two low-energy X-ray beams to take images of bones in your hip, spine and wrist. This enables doctors to see how dense your bones are over time and whether they have thinned over time; this enables doctors to diagnose osteoporosis or osteopenia as well as predict risk of bone fractures; they can also be used to track progression of already diagnosed osteoporosis as well as assess treatment options.
DEXA scans are typically quick and painless procedures. Once at the facility where your scan will take place, you will go through an induction procedure involving presenting your health insurance card and filling out any required forms before changing into a hospital gown and lying down on a table while the machine scans your bones to create an image of you.
Once the radiologist has completed their analysis, you will receive your results. The first number, known as your T-score, compares your bone density against an average score for someone of similar age and gender; a lower T-score may indicate thinner bones which could indicate osteoporosis or osteopenia. Z-score compares your density against people of same gender and ethnicity; higher Z-scores reflect stronger bones.
As soon as you receive your results, it is essential that you discuss their significance with a medical provider in order to receive recommendations tailored specifically for you. In most instances, they will prescribe osteoporosis medications in order to decrease bone loss and minimize fracture risks.
Your doctor may suggest other tests in addition to a DEXA scan, including ultrasound of your heel or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, which won’t impact the outcome of your DEXA scan but could provide additional insights into bone health. Because DEXA involves radiation exposure, these additional exams should not be done while pregnant or breastfeeding.
Where Can I Get a DEXA Scan?
Bone density testing, commonly referred to as bone densitometry or dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), is quick, painless and accurate way to detect osteoporosis — the progressive loss of bone strength which leads to fragile and easily broken bones — at its early stages when treatment can be most successful.
At VCHS, we have one of the most advanced bone density scanning systems on the market: Hologic Discovery SL. Using lower dose X-rays, this system uses images and graphs to translate data, with bone appearing white while fat and muscle appear darker on our scan results.
At Heritage Valley Medical Neighborhoods and our Center and Robinson Women’s Health centers, we offer DEXA scanning Monday – Friday. Additionally, free heel screenings that measure bone density in your heel serve as an indicator for hip and spine bone density levels since most fractures happen at that area of the foot. To arrange for this test please call your primary care provider or walk in at one of our VCHS ExpressCARE locations.
How Much Will a DEXA Scan Cost?
Cost of DEXA scans depends on where, whether or not insurance covers it and why they are needed. DEXA is widely considered the gold standard for measuring both bone health and body composition without radiation exposure – on average this should run you anywhere between $125 to $300 for one session.
DEXA Scans are quick and painless exams that take just 10 to 15 minutes to complete. The test involves lying on a table while the scanner passes over your body, specifically hip bones and spine. At times you may need to stand up during this examination or change positions during its progression.
Your results will be presented on a computer screen and presented with a report by a radiologist, who will interpret and determine your bone density score – with higher scores being less likely to break a bone. A score of -1 or lower indicates osteopenia while 2.5 or greater indicates normal bone density.
Getting a DEXA scan to assess bone density can help you devise a treatment plan to prevent future fractures, as well as to track how effectively medications taken to treat osteoporosis or other medical conditions are working.
Based on your age and other risk factors, DEXA scans should be scheduled every 2 to 3 years. Your physician may advise more frequent screening if necessary – for instance if you are female without children, under 60 or have other health conditions that increase your risk of osteoporosis.
DEXA scans can also be utilized by athletes and fitness enthusiasts to track their progress over time. While athletes can use DEXA data to customize their training and diet programs, individuals looking to lose weight or maintain current weight can use this data to better understand how much muscle and visceral fat their bodies possess.
DEXA scans typically provide results for your hip and spine; however, some advanced facilities offer comprehensive reporting that measures thigh and waist circumference to detect hidden fat deposits as well as abdominal muscle density to help prevent muscle atrophy during weight loss. Scan centers like BodySpec also offer an innovative test known as the VO2 Max test which measures how much oxygen you can uptake while exercising and helps pinpoint opportunities for improving cardiovascular fitness.