DEXA Bone Density Scan

The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening for women 65 and older and for postmenopausal women under 65 at higher risk. The Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation also recommends it for men 70 and older, women 50 to 64 and men 50 to 69 with risk factors, and anyone who breaks a bone after 50.

At 65, according to the US Preventive Services Task Force. Earlier if you're past menopause and have a risk factor, such as long-term steroid use, a family history of osteoporosis, smoking or low body weight.

A DEXA scan of the hip and spine is the standard bone density test. A whole-body DEXA scan for body composition also gives a bone reading, but guidelines don't use it to diagnose osteoporosis.

You lie on your back on an open table while a scanner arm passes over your hip and lower spine. There are no needles and no tunnel, and you stay dressed in clothes with no metal.

A T-score of -1.0 or above is normal, between -1.0 and -2.5 is low bone mass (osteopenia), and -2.5 or below is osteoporosis. If you're a premenopausal woman or a man under 50, your Z-score is used instead, and -2.0 or lower is below the expected range for your age.

Yes. The dose is about 0.001 mSv, a hundredth of a chest X-ray and roughly 3 hours of natural background radiation. It isn't done during pregnancy.

Don't eat for 2 to 4 hours before your scan. Water is fine, just don't drink a lot right before. Skip intense exercise, saunas and steam rooms for 12 hours beforehand. Wear comfortable clothes without metal, such as zips, underwire or jewelry. Some machines can't scan people over 300 lb or 6'3".

Share your report with your clinician, who will weigh it with your age, history and fracture risk to decide next steps. If your bone density comes back below the 50th percentile, your report may include a link to book a physician follow-up call.

Usually no more than every 2 years. Medicare covers a repeat every 24 months, and for women at average risk, repeating sooner than every 4 to 8 years adds little. If you're on treatment, your clinician sets the timing.

Imaging centers charge from about $65, usually with a doctor's order, up to about $380. Your price is shown on this page, and members pay less. It includes the physician's order when a center needs one, booking, and the report in your Mito dashboard, and it is the same whichever partner center you choose.

No. It measures bone mineral density and isn't designed to find tumors or other disease.

At partner hospitals and imaging centers nationwide. When you book, you choose a center and your preferred times, and the center confirms, usually within hours.

Every test shows the member price next to the standard non-member price, so you can see what membership saves you. The member price is our cost, covering the lab and what it takes to run the service. It is never a profit on the test itself. Mito makes its money on the membership, not on marking up your tests. Membership is $9 per month or $99 per year, and any applicable lab order or draw fee is itemized before you pay.

Yes. Mito's lab tests are HSA/FSA eligible, so you can pay with pre-tax dollars.

Add the test to your cart and select "Pay with HSA/FSA" at checkout. You'll finish on the secure checkout page of Flex, our HSA/FSA payments partner, and Flex emails you an itemized receipt from notifications@withflex.com for your records.

Most Mito tests are auto-substantiated, so you usually won't need a Letter of Medical Necessity. If your HSA/FSA administrator asks for more, contact us and we'll help.

You must be 18 or older to order a scan or fitness test through Mito. Before you add one to your cart, you answer a few short health questions so we can check that the test is right for you.

• Coronary Artery Calcium Scan: for people aged 40 to 75 with at least one heart risk factor and no known heart disease or heart symptoms. Risk factors include high cholesterol or blood pressure, diabetes, a family history of heart disease, a BMI over 25, smoking, or an inactive lifestyle. You'll also give your primary care provider's details.
• DEXA scans: not available if you're pregnant or may be pregnant, or if you've recently had a barium exam. If you have metal implants, a physician reviews your answers first.
• VO2 Max Test: not available if you're pregnant. Depending on your answers, you may need clearance from your own doctor before your appointment can be confirmed.

If your answers mean a test isn't a good fit, you'll see why before you buy.

No. If your test needs a physician's order, it's arranged for you as part of booking. You don't need to contact your own doctor or bring an order with you.

The one exception is the VO2 Max Test. If your health questionnaire shows you need medical clearance, we'll ask your own doctor to sign off first.

Yes, both use a low dose of radiation. The VO2 Max Test uses none.

• DEXA scans use a very low dose, much lower than a standard X-ray. It's about the same as the natural background radiation you get over a normal day.
• A coronary artery calcium scan uses a low to moderate dose, typically 1 to 3 millisieverts (mSv). That's a bit more than a few X-rays, but much less than a full CT scan. For comparison, everyday background radiation is about 3 mSv a year. For most people with heart risk factors, the benefit outweighs the small risk.

Don't have a DEXA or calcium score scan if you're pregnant or think you may be.

After you buy your scan, open your Mito dashboard and:

1. Answer the testing center's health questions, and add your emergency contact and primary care physician details.
2. Enter your ZIP code to find the nearest testing center.
3. Pick two appointment times: your preferred time and a backup.

The center then confirms one of those times, usually within 48 hours. We'll email you at each step: when we receive your booking request, when the center confirms your appointment, and a reminder before your visit. If your appointment is cancelled or missed, we'll let you know by email too.

Requested means we've sent your preferred times to the testing center, but the appointment isn't final yet. It may still be waiting on the center, on your health questions, or on a doctor's clearance.

Confirmed means the center has finalized your appointment and expects you at the date and time in your confirmation email.

Please don't treat a requested appointment as final. If it hasn't been confirmed within 48 hours, message Mito Concierge or email help@mitohealth.com.

You can reschedule or cancel from your Mito dashboard.

• Rescheduling: your first two reschedules are free when you make them more than 24 hours before your confirmed appointment. Each reschedule after that costs $25. If the center changes your time, that doesn't count toward your free reschedules.
• Cancelling more than 24 hours ahead: your purchase stays open while our care team reviews whether to refund it or use it to rebook. Refunds aren't automatic, so message us if you have a preference.
• Cancelling 24 hours or less before your appointment, or missing it: your purchase is forfeited. A new appointment needs a new purchase at the full price.

Follow the instructions in your confirmation email, because they can affect your results. If you don't prepare as instructed, the center may not be able to do the test.

For every appointment

• Bring a photo ID and your confirmation or reminder email.
• Arrive about 5 minutes before your appointment. Many centers have little waiting space, so don't arrive much earlier. If you're late, the center may not be able to see you.
• Don't bring children, and avoid bringing guests.

DEXA scans

• Wear comfortable clothes, such as gym clothes, with no metal or hard plastic. That means no zippers, buttons, underwire, jewelry, or watches.
• Don't eat for 2 to 4 hours before. Drink water normally.
• Avoid intense exercise, saunas, and steam rooms for 12 hours before.
• Tell the staff if you have metal in your body, such as a pin or a joint replacement.

VO2 Max Test

• Don't exercise for 24 hours before.
• Be well hydrated and fed, but avoid a heavy meal in the 2 to 3 hours before. A light snack is fine.
• Wear the clothes and shoes you normally exercise in.
• Allow 1 to 1.5 hours.

Coronary Artery Calcium Scan

• No alcohol or caffeine for 4 hours before.
• No strenuous exercise for 24 hours before.
• Wear clothes that are easy to take off, with no metal. A gown may be provided.

Your results are uploaded to your Mito dashboard, where you can view and download them. They usually arrive within 2 business days of your appointment. If you haven't seen them after 5 business days, message Mito Concierge or email help@mitohealth.com and we'll check.

Yes. Consultations are available to review your scan results and talk through what they mean for you. You can book one from your Mito dashboard.

Available in all 50 states and Washington, DC.