Preparing for your DEXA
Duration:
From 20 to 40 minutes (approx.)
Type:
Low-dose ionising radiation
Prep:
No preparation
Notes:
Walk-ins accepted using any provider’s referral
Before your visit
We want you to feel comfortable and prepared for your scan. Here’s what to expect:
- Please advise us if you are, or think you may be, pregnant.
- Please bring your referral, Medicare and Pension Health Care Cards with any previous imaging relating to the region being scanned.
- You may be required to remove jewellery and clothing that contain zips or metal objects, as these items can interfere with the X-ray quality.
During your scan
- You may be asked to change into a gown.
- Your height and weight will be measured to allow information to be generated about your bone density.
- You’ll be asked to lie on a padded table.
- It is very important you remain still during your scan.
Further reading
Why Choose GMI for Your DEXA
We perform DEXA bone densitometry for all ages and all regions.
We can do bone mineral density (BMD) measurements, vertebral body assessment and assessment for orthopaedics (around joint replacements).
We also perform DEXA whole body composition and fat/lean mass assessments.
Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) is the gold standard in Body Composition and Bone Density measurement. DEXA Bone Densitometry is a quick, and non-invasive way to accurately and reliably measure bone mineral density.
DEXA Body Composition allows the measurement of total body fat and total muscle mass.
At Garran Medical Imaging our wholebody composition service not only determines your exact ratio of bone, fat and muscle, but also provides you with a comprehensive report and a full explanation of your results included as part of your appointment.
DEXA works by passing two very low dose x-ray beams at differing energy levels through the tissues of the body. Fat, muscle and bone all allow different energy X-rays to pass through at different rates. By using two different types of x-rays the equipment is able to calculate relative amounts of each tissue type in your body.
We take into account your scan results, your activity level and target body fat percentage. We also provide accurate metabolic data and macronutrient information to help you work towards any weight loss and fitness goals.
Our DEXA scanner has an integrated FRAX calculator that enables us to provide patients a 10-year probability of fracture. The algorithm takes into account several personal, hereditary, medical and lifestyle factors to provide a 10 year probability of hip fracture and a 10 year probability of a major osteoporotic fracture.
The FRAX calculator has been developed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and is calculated for patients between 40 and 90 years of age.