DEXA Bone Density

Bone Density Machine Bone densitometry (DEXA or dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry) uses low dose radiation to measure bone mineral density. Your hip and lumbar spine are most commonly measured. This exam can help your healthcare provider diagnose and monitor osteopenia or osteoporosis (bone loss). DEXA is fast, painless, and noninvasive and requires no special preparation. Leave jewelry at home, and be sure to empty your pockets. Because radiography uses radiation, in most cases an alternative test is used in pregnant women. Please alert the technologist if there is a chance you may be pregnant.

Please bring a list of current medications.

DEXA is recommended if you:

Are a postmenopausal woman
Have a personal history or family history of hip fracture
Have a history of smoking
Use certain medications (corticosteroids, anti-seizure medications, thyroid medication)
Have type 1 diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease
Have a family history of osteoporosis
Have hyperthyroidism or hyperparathyroidism
Have experienced a fracture with minor trauma
Have x-ray evidence of vertebral fracture or osteopenia

Once the images have been obtained, they will be sent electronically to the radiologist, who will interpret the exam and generate a report for your doctor. You should follow up with your healthcare provider as directed to receive the results of your DEXA. Your DEXA result with include two scores. The T-score shows the amount of bone you have relative to a young adult of the same gender. The Z-score shows the amount of bone you have relative to an adult of the same age, size, and gender. A T-score of -1 to -2.5 is defined as osteopenia, and a T-score of -2.5 or lower is defined as osteoporosis. The T-score is used to estimate your risk of fracture.

We try in every way to make your imaging exam pleasant! As always, please let us know what we can do to improve your experience.