When you arrive at the hospital, they are likely to run through some questions with you. You don’t usually need to make special preparations for a DEXA scan. A DEXA scan of your hip and spine is considered to be the ‘gold standard’ for diagnosing osteoporosis and predicting future fracture risk. Menu The DEXA Scan is the clinical gold standard for measuring fat, muscle, and bone density. Back to top. During a bone density scan, a special type of X-ray called dual energy X-ray absorptiometry is passed through your body. No special preparations are needed. Despite being very safe, bone density scans and X-rays are not recommended for pregnant women, as X-rays can damage an unborn child. You may be able to remain fully clothed, depending on the area of your body being scanned. If enter through the Outpatient entrance please follow the signs for the Jubilee Wing. A bone density scan uses low dose X-rays to see how dense (or strong) your bones are. A DEXA scan (DXA) is the most reliable way to measure body fat, bone, and lean muscle throughout your body.It’s a simple and quick non-invasive procedure that provides a quantitative measure of your body composition. A DEXA scan will normally be carried out at hospital. National Osteoporosis Society, August 2014. theros.org.uk, Osteoporosis. Oxford handbook of geriatric medicine. But the amount you’re exposed to in a DEXA scan is very low – much less than you’d get in other tests (for example, in a chest X-ray). These may include: They will also usually measure your height and weight. By Professor David Reid 2020-12-20 . Bupa is not responsible for the content or availability of these third party websites. Some radiation is absorbed by the bone and soft tissue, and some travels through your body. Early detection and intervention are crucial. Bone that is less dense can be more prone to fracture. It only adds a few extra minutes to a normal DEXA procedure. A bone density scan or DEXA scan takes approximately 15 minutes. These include: These alternative tests aren’t as good at measuring bone-mineral density as a DEXA scan. A bone scan is a form of nuclear imaging that allows physicians to diagnose and then track several different bone diseases. The information contained on this page and in any third party websites referred to on this page is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice nor is it intended to be for medical diagnosis or treatment. Submit a request for further information, a quotation or indicative cost. Radiological Society of North America. Sometimes, you may have an additional scan, called a Vertebral Fracture Assessment (VFA). Radiological Society of North America. Radiation can be harmful to your body if you have a high dose. It sends out invisible beams of radiation, which pass through the bones being examined, to a detector positioned above your body. Obtain copies of your full bone density reports from your DEXA or DXA scans. It also complies with the HONcode standard and follows the principles of the The Information Standard. 0330 134 5502 ^, 55babe7f-9579-49a0-bb13-dd36cd5331d1-8E48, View our suite of services including NHS and private care, View all the latest news from Bupa Dental Care, Find out how we can help you in an emergency, Tips and advice on supporting your child’s dental health, Refer your patient to us for specific treatments, A selection of questions and answers that we’ve already helped our customers with, bd5b95a6-8208-4df3-9931-3f6a2a7e4cb1-73E2. Dear All, I've just had my latest DEXA scan done this morning, and realised we haven't mentioned this subject in a long time. A DEXA scan detects weak or brittle bones to help predict the odds of a future fracture and, sometimes, to determine if someone should be taking medication (such as a bisphosphonate) to slow bone loss.1 After an initial DEXA scan, subsequent scans can be done to compare the progression of bone loss—in other words, comparing a baseline scan with a second scan can show if bone density is improving, worsening, or staying th… They are usually done at an outpatient clinic, which means you won’t need to be admitted to hospital. theros.org.uk, accessed 26 March 2019, Bone densitometry (DEXA, DXA). Leaving your company health insurance scheme? cks.nice.org.uk, last revised September 2018, Management of osteoporosis and the prevention of fragility fractures. It is a special … 0800 00 10 22 ^, 1939639f-6ce5-4533-8d3e-08da56760ea0-8B26, Reviewed by experts, written in plain English, Over 300 articles, from our health experts, to help you live a longer, healthier, happier life, With more and more of us touched by dementia, getting the right information is essential, If you've injured your knee or have a long-term knee problem, we can help you find the information and support you need, Information to help you during your cancer journey, Info and advice to help yours and your colleagues workplace mental health, Expert reviewer, Henry Maxwell, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon If it looks like your risk may be within a certain level, your doctor will advise you to have a DEXA scan. Then, if necessary, your doctor can suggest measures to reduce your risk of breaking a bone. Osteoporosis is a condition of low bone density that reduces bone strength and may result in fractures, physical deformity and/or pain. If the results of your tests show that you have osteoporosis, you’ll be offered medication to help strengthen your bones. Bone density scans are often used to diagnose or assess your risk of osteoporosis, a health condition that weakens bones and makes them more likely to break. A DEXA scan of your hip and spine is considered to be the ‘gold standard’ for diagnosing osteoporosis and predicting future fracture risk. DEXA means ‘dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Find out more about how bone density scans are carried out. Dexa Scan Cost Range from Rs 2000 to Rs 6000 in India. This is known as osteopenia. You may be asked to change position, to make sure the right areas can be scanned. The Royal College of Radiologists, 2015. www.rcr.ac.uk. An advanced DEXA scan is a diagnostic tool which looks at the apparent density of a patient’s bone to discover the risk of osteoporosis and identify fractures and breaks. b6f6d1e9-e910-457a-8478-ebad57598a2c-1690, Health insurance specifically for business, Help to understand your health and identify any future health risks, To discuss your healthcare needs call us on, Personal They may ask you to have further tests to assess your bone health, including blood and urine tests, and X-rays. www.radiologyinfo.org, reviewed 20 April 2018, Osteoporosis – prevention of fragility fractures. 0345 600 4622^, 7cd4e4fb-645b-41bf-b370-1275ad0ac305-CBE3, Talk to a travel expert Royal Osteoporosis Society. There are a number of other scans and tests that can help to find out how strong your bones are. If you smoke, try to stop because smoking increases the risk of fragility fractures. I have found European hospitals often provide state-of-the-art care at a lower price than private care in UK. A DEXA scan is said to be the gold standard for measuring body composition. Dexa scan involves a technique called Dual Energy X-ray absorptiometry, in which the bones are exposed to a small amount of radiation under controlled conditions for a very short period of time. You won’t need treatment if you’re diagnosed with osteopenia or told you’re at risk of developing osteoporosis. You may be able to stay fully dressed during the scan if you’re not wearing anything metal. They use a much lower level of radiation than standard X-rays, which means that the radiographer (the technical specialist carrying out the scan) can stay in the scanning room with you during the scan. The amount of radiation used during a bone density scan is very low and less than 2 days' exposure to natural background radiation (NBR). The advanced DEXA scan . Enquire now. You will need a referral from a GP or other health professional for a DEXA scan on the NHS. If you are going on holiday, think about having a DEXA scan abroad! Know More. NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries. The calculation also includes lifestyle factors such as if you smoke and how much alcohol you drink because these also affect your bone density. This might be another condition or medicine you’re taking. Royal Osteoporosis Society. We do not accept advertising on this page. DEXA scans can be used to diagnose osteoporosis. As well as being quick and painless, a bone density scan is more effective than normal X-rays in identifying low bone density. You might not be able to have a DEXA scan because there is a risk that the radiation could harm your unborn baby. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), April 2017. www.nice.org.uk, Calcium. A T-score below –2.5 is classed as osteoporosis. This allows you to optimize your program to suit your body’s needs. DEXA stands for dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, and there are different ways to refer to the scan, including DXA, bone density scan, and bone densitometry scan. ClinRisk. A DEXA scan is a high-precision type of X-ray that measures your bone mineral density and bone loss. It’s important to lie very still while the scan is being done to stop the images from being blurred. A DXA scan uses low-energy X-rays. A T-score of between 0 and –1 means your bone density is in the normal range for a young, healthy person. This can be easily found by using the entrance to the right of the Peter Smith Surgery Centre . DEXA scans use very low levels of X-ray radiation to produce images of your bones. A DEXA (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry) scan measures the density of your bones to show how strong they are. This, plus a risk assessment carried out by your doctor, is used to predict how likely you are to have a fracture due to osteoporosis. The detector measures the amount of radiation it receives that has passed through your bones. The patient may be either required to step into an X-ray chamber and lie still on a table for a few minutes or simply be tested using small, portable devices. Osteoporosis can affect anyone at any age, although older postmenopausal women are particularly at risk. You may also hear it called a DEXA scan. Call our Customer Care Team on It’s the most accurate way of measuring your muscle mass, fat percentage and bone density. You’ll want to look at all the results, not just the summary page. It detects how much radiation is absorbed by your bones, which shows how dense they are. You may want to consider taking a vitamin D supplement too because it’s hard to get enough from your diet. Find nearby locations and pricing , to get you an on-the-spot assessment of your body composition. If you're being treated (or have been) with Hormone Therapy such as Zoladex, Prostap etc, one of the biggest potential side effects is Osteoporosis (thinning of the bones). It may take a few weeks to get an appointment for a DEXA scan, depending on your local hospital. A bone density scan uses low dose X-rays to see how dense (or strong) your bones are. Bone density scan (DEXA, DXA) DEXA scan stands for dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. You may be asked to come back for another scan within the next two years if you were found to be at risk of developing osteoporosis. www.britannica.com, accessed 26 March 2019, Bone density scan. You may be able to get a DEXA scan at a private hospital or clinic without a referral from your GP. Your GP will refer you for one if they’ve assessed you as being at risk of fragility fractures. Bone density scanning (DXA) Bone density scanning (DXA) Overview; Overview. The Z-score compares your bone density with that of people your own age, size and sex. The detector has a long, thin ‘arm’, which is passed up and down the area being tested – usually your hips or spine. Expert reviewer, Henry Maxwell, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon We have provided an indication of the cost of a private dexa bone scan based on the prices published by several of the major providers of private surgery. You’ll need to take any keys and wallets out of your pockets and remove any other metal objects such as glasses, piercings or dental appliances. The DEXA Scan has many over other body fat measuring methods. This information is then used to generate images on a computer monitor. PatientPlus. DEXA Scan is Helpful to Diagnose Osteoporosis and Assess Bone Strength. Oxford Medicine Online. It’s also called a bone densitometry scan. You may also hear it called a DEXA scan. oxfordmedicine.com, published online April 2014, Osteoporosis. You may be asked to have another DEXA scan after this time, to see if your bone health has improved. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), August 2012. www.nice.org.uk, Bone mineral density. A fragility fracture is when your bones become weakened due to osteoporosis, so that even a minor bump or fall causes them to break. oxfordmedicine.com, published online February 2018, Osteoporosis risk assessment and primary prevention. It can be used to diagnose osteoporosis (fragile bones) or to assess your risk of developing this condition. Quality standard. A DEXA scan will normally be carried out at hospital. DEXA Scan also gives you precise measurements of fat and muscle distributed around your body. Find out when bone density scans are used. If necessary, you’ll be asked to change into a hospital gown. Find out more >, To book or to make an enquiry, call us on 0333 305 9650^. Osteoporosis is a complex, multi-factorial disease that may progress silently over years. DEXA Scan (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) Osteoporosis affects 55% of people living in the U.S. over the age of 50. These take into account factors that might increase your risk, including your medical history, age, sex, height, weight, and any medication you’re on. This is where your scan results are compared to peak bone mass, which the normal bone density is found in healthy people aged between 23 and 35. A radiologist – a doctor specially trained to interpret X-ray images – will analyse your results. The more dense the bone is, the less X-rays get through to the detector. Oxford handbook of general practice. patient.info/patientplus, last reviewed 12 October 2015, FRAX® Fracture Risk Assessment Tool. Next review due May 2022. DEXA scan should be several pages long, have many charts and x-rays of the spine and hip. What is a DXA scan? Staying with a friend in Italy, she told me she was going for one - did I want one too? Your doctor may ask you to have a fracture risk assessment: Doctors use special online tools to calculate your fracture risk. British Dietetic Association, July 2017. www.bda.uk.com, Vitamin D deficiency in adults – treatment and prevention. www.radiologyinfo.org, reviewed 10 August 2018, Guidelines for the provision of a clinical bone densitometry service. It works by passing two safe and very low dose x-ray beams at differing energy levels through the tissues of the body. This is carried out in the same way as a DEXA scan but is used to check for fractures in your spine. Find a healthcare professional or service. Your doctor may suggest it if you’ve broken a bone in one of these areas – for instance, your wrist. Make sure you’re getting enough vitamin D, as this helps your body absorb calcium. A peripheral DEXA scan uses a smaller, portable machine that can measure bone density in your wrist, heel or ankle. The primary advantage of DEXA Scan over using a fat estimate device (bioimpedance scales, calipers, tape measure), or displacement estimate device (hydrostatic dunk tank, Bod Pod) is that the DEXA Scan is actually measuring your body fat and giving you a precise measurements. It would cost £50 ! It can help to predict your risk of having another fracture but it’s not as good as a standard DEXA scan for this. This won’t be harmful. Your doctor will suggest some lifestyle changes to help strengthen your bones. The T score indicates whether your bone density falls within a normal range for a person in her 30s, when bone density peaks, while the Z score is a comparison against other individuals of your age, sex and weight. You’ll need to check with the hospital or clinic what their procedures are. Special detectors in the DEXA machine measure how much radiation passes through your bones, and this information is sent to a computer. How is it carried out? The T-score compares your bone density to the average for a young, healthy person. NHS England National Statistics, published 14 March 2019. www.england.nhs.uk, Scans, tests and results. The denser the bone, the fewer X-rays can pass through. Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN), March 2015. www.sign.ac.uk, A guide to understanding the implications of the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations in diagnostic and interventional radiology. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Read more about how MDsave works. This is because we believe that trustworthy information is essential in helping you make better decisions about your health and wellbeing. Osteoporosis does not cause any symptoms until a bone is broken. A DEXA scan involves the passing of low-radiation x-ray beams through bones, and the amount of energy that is absorbed allows for the determination of the density of the bone. A Dexa Scan uses two different types of waves that are reflected by lean muscle and bone differently. It is considered the gold standard for bone density testing and … Try to get regular, brief exposure to the sun, without letting your skin burn. Close menu. A DEXA scan is used to measure the density or strength of bones. You’ll be asked to lie on your back on a padded table during the scan. It will generally take a few days. bestpractice.bmj.com, last reviewed February 2019, Osteoporosis: assessing the risk of fragility fracture. A DEXA Scan (Dual-Enerxy X-ray Absorptiometry), uses two different types of waves that are reflected by lean muscle, and bone differently. Arranging care can be stressful, we’re here to help. This information was published by Bupa's Health Content Team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. Click export CSV or RIS to download the entire page or use the checkboxes to select a subset of records to download Export CSV Export RIS × Warning, download options selected. Edited by: Top Doctors ® A DEXA scan, or DXA scan, is a type of X-ray that is used to measure bone density. It has been reviewed by appropriate medical or clinical professionals and deemed accurate on the date of review. What is a DEXA Scan? But you’ll need to allow around two hours for your appointment because you may need other tests too. The more dense your bones, the stronger and less likely they are to break (fracture). By using two different X-ray sources rather than one it greatly improves the accuracy in measuring the bone density. DEXA stands for Dual Emission or Energy X-ray Absorptiometry. A DEXA scan is a quick and painless procedure. If you’re pregnant or think you might be, it's important to let your doctor or radiographer know. A Z-score is also calculated by comparing your results to the bone density of people of your own age. This is because the level of oestrogen declines after the menopause, resulting in a decrease in bone density. You will get two numbers from your DEXA scan: a T-score and a Z-score. January 2019. The majority of these people are women, but men are at risk too. NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries. cks.nice.org.uk, last revised December 2016, Osteoporosis. A machine sends X-rays from two different sources through the bone being tested. A DEXA scan, or dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, uses x ray technology to determine the distribution of lean muscle, fat, water and bone in your body. Metal buttons, zips or jewellery could show up on the scan. Musculoskeletal problems. Although any procedure carries a certain amount of risk, DEXA is a very safe procedure, with no real risk of complications. Arrangements will vary at different hospitals and in different areas. This might include bisphosphonates as well as calcium and vitamin D supplements. Our information has been awarded the PIF TICK for trustworthy health information. You will usually only be invited to have a DEXA scan if your doctor has assessed you as being at risk of fragility fractures. The scan itself will usually take between 10 and 30 minutes. The tools predict how likely it is you’ll have a fracture due to osteoporosis in the next 10 years. Those on high deductible health plans or without insurance can shop, compare prices and save. This is shortened to DEXA. The Total Body: Bone Density report provides a general image of the skeleton, as well as two colorful graphs that indicate where among the range of T-scores your bone density measurement lies compared to NHANES data. Find nearby locations and pricing to get you an on-the-spot assessment of your body composition. You can access a range of treatments on a pay as you go basis, including physiotherapy. You should be told when to expect your results and how to get them before you leave your appointment. However, it will need to be authorised by a qualified health professional.