DEXA Scan

What a DEXA Scan Measures: Body Fat, Bone Density & More

Have you ever heard of a body scan specifically for your bone health, muscle mass, and body fat percentage? There is a medical imaging screening called DEXA scan that gives you information about your bone health and body composition. It checks your bone mineral density for diagnosing bone issues like osteoporosis and shows your lean mass and fat mass. There are two main types of DEXA scan:

• Central DEXA: It is the gold standard for diagnosing osteoporosis. The Central DEXA measures your bone density in the spine, hips, and central skeleton to assess any risk of fracture .

• Peripheral DEXA: p-DEXA focuses on the extremities, like the wrist, hand, finger, or heel. It's often used for screening or when central DEXA is unavailable. If you get a low result from a p-DEXA scan, it usually leads to a follow-up with a central DEXA scan for a more comprehensive assessment.

How Does The Scan Work?

The DEXA scan uses two different energy levels of X-rays—one high and one low. When these beams pass through your body, the machine differentiates between your bone mineral, lean mass, and fat mass. This dual-energy method gives an accurate reading of your bone mineral density rather than traditional single-energy X-rays. The scan usually focuses on the lower spine (lumbar vertebrae) and hips (proximal femur). These areas matter a lot. They often have fractures, especially in people with osteoporosis.

Benefits of a DEXA Body Composition Scan

A DEXA body scan provides more than just weight—it gives insight into:

• Body fat % and distribution

• Lean muscle mass‍

• Bone mineral density(to assess osteoporosis risk)

• Visceral fat levels (a key health risk indicator)

Great for athletes, aging adults, or anyone focused on tracking fitness and longevity.

Is DEXA Scan for You?

We recommend a DEXA scan for:

• All women aged 65 and older and men aged 70 and older at risk for osteoporosis.

• Younger individuals with risk factors, such as:

  • A personal or family history of hip fracture.

  • A fracture after a minor fall.

  • Loss of height or unexplained back pain.

  • Smoking.

• Individuals with conditions like arthritis, early menopause, or certain endocrine disorders.

• People with health illnesses like chronic kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, HIV, and eating disorders.

Why Your Doctor Might Recommend a DEXA Scan

Your doctor recommends a DEXA scan if you have osteoporosis or osteopenia. This body scan is helpful for catching any reduction in bone mass early on and your risk of fracture. It will also tell how good your treatments work if you have osteoporosis to evaluate your progress and make any adjustments to your treatment plan.

What to Expect During Your DEXA Scan

1. Book via Mito Health

(Available only in San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Jose, Orange County, Dallas, Austin & Seattle)
Booking your DEXA scan test with Mito Health is easy. Just sign up for our comprehensive biomarker panel. Buy the DEXA scan service from your dashboard. Choose a laboratory for a DEXA scan near you and schedule your appointment. 

2. Preparing for The Scan

You don’t have to fast for a DEXA scan. You can stick to your regular diet and medication schedule. Just remember to wear comfortable clothes without any metal fasteners that can mess up the X-ray images. Let your healthcare provider know if you are pregnant of if you recently had imaging with barium contrast or radioisotopes before the scan.

3. On DEXA Scan Day

When you arrive at your chosen laboratory, a staff member will take you to the scanning room. If you’re having a central DEXA scan, you’ll need to lie flat on your back and stay as still as possible. The scanning arm of the DEXA machine will glide over the area under examination. Depending on what areas you’re scanning, the whole process takes about 10 to 30 minutes. For a peripheral DEXA scan, you'll place your forearm, wrist, or foot in a small scanning device. No matter which type of scan you're getting, you can rest easy knowing that the process is non-invasive and most people find it very tolerable.

DEXA Scan Results Explained

A DEXA bone density scan gives you two key scores: T-scores and Z-scores.

• T-score: Compares your bone density to that of a healthy young adult.

  • ≥ -1.0: Normal bone density

  • < -1.0 and > -2.5: Osteopenia (low bone density)

  • ≤ -2.5: Osteoporosis

  • ≤ -2.5 with fragility fracture: Severe osteoporosis

• Z-score: Your bone density compared to others your age, sex, weight, and ethnicity. This score is especially helpful for premenopausal women, men under 50, and children.

After your full-body MRI, you’ll get a detailed report on your Mito Health dashboard within a week. Our clear and simple report helps you understand your DEXA scan results easily. Also, one of our leading doctors will give you tailored insights from your results.