What is a DEXA Scan?

A Simple Guide to Body Composition Scanning & What It Can Tell You

When it comes to understanding your health, weight alone doesn’t tell the whole story. If you're looking for a more complete picture of what's happening inside your body, a DEXA scan might be the answer.

Whether you’ve heard about it at your doctor’s office, gym, or online, here’s a straightforward look at what a DEXA scan is, what it measures, and whether it’s something you should consider.

DEXA stands for Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry. It’s a non-invasive imaging test that uses very low-dose X-rays to measure:

Bone density
Fat mass
Lean muscle mass

Originally developed to diagnose osteoporosis by measuring bone health, DEXA scans are now widely used to assess overall body composition as well.

What Can a DEXA Scan Tell You?

A DEXA scan can provide detailed information about:

Bone Mineral Density (BMD): Indicates bone strength and helps diagnose conditions like osteoporosis or osteopenia.
Fat Distribution: Measures total body fat and shows where fat is stored (such as around the abdomen, which can be a risk factor for heart disease).
Lean Muscle Mass: Helps assess muscle health, important for strength, metabolism, and injury prevention.
Visceral Fat Levels: Measures the fat surrounding your internal organs, which is linked to greater health risks.

Unlike a basic scale or BMI calculation, DEXA scans show how your weight is divided between bone, fat, and muscle—giving you a much more complete health profile.

Common Questions About DEXA Scans

Let’s look at the common questions about these scans. This can help put some concerns to rest and see if this data collection will be helpful to you as you work toward maintaining or improving your health.

Is It Safe? Yes! DEXA scans involve extremely low levels of radiation, much lower than a standard X-ray or CT scan. It’s safe for most people, though it’s not typically recommended for pregnant women.
How Long Does It Take? The scan usually takes about 10–20 minutes. You simply lie still on a table while a scanner arm passes over your body.
Does It Hurt? Not at all. The procedure is completely painless and non-invasive.
How Often Should You Get One? For bone health monitoring, your doctor may recommend a DEXA scan every 1–2 years if you are at risk for osteoporosis. On the other hand, some people get a scan every 6-12 months to monitor composition tracking in alignment with their fitness goals.
Do You Need a Referral? You often need a doctor’s referral for insurance to cover a DEXA scan done for bone density. However, many health clinics and fitness centers offer body composition DEXA scans without a referral (though they are usually paid out-of-pocket).

Should You Get a DEXA Scan?

You might want to consider a DEXA scan if:

You are over 50 and concerned about osteoporosis
You have a family history of bone disease
You want a detailed view of your body composition to track fitness or weight loss goals
You have a medical condition affecting muscle mass, like sarcopenia or chronic illness
You carry abdominal fat and want to assess your visceral fat risks

For fitness enthusiasts, athletes, and anyone undergoing major health changes (like post-bariatric surgery), a DEXA scan can provide measurable data to guide training, nutrition, and health goals.

Before booking a scan, talk with your healthcare provider or a trusted health professional to decide if it’s right for your needs—and be sure to review how the information will be used to support your health goals. Knowledge is power—and when it comes to your body, more knowledge means better decisions.

It is always important to have confidence in a medical team who supports you. If you are working toward better health, our team at Healthstar Physicians Premier Medical wants to be on your team. Our medical team specializes in obesity medicine, osteopathic medicine, family medicine, and podiatry. We are taking new patients at both of our two offices in Newport. And we accept most forms of insurance. To make an appointment, please contact us.