BUILDING STRONG BONES FOR A HEALTHIER FUTURE
A DEXA scan is an imaging test that measures the strength of your bones. It uses X-rays to measure your bone density. DEXA is an abbreviation for dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.
A healthcare provider might use a DEXA scan to check your bones in a few situations, including to:
- Diagnose osteoporosis
- Diagnose osteopenia
- Check your bone fracture risk
Your provider might use a bone density test to see how your bones have changed over time, including:
- Measure the natural amount of bone loss that happens as you age and track your bone loss over time.
- Evaluate your bone density before you start a treatment or medication that can weaken your bones as a side effect.
Check to see if your bones are responding to treatment for osteoporosis or osteopenia.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
- Do not take any calcium supplements (this includes multi-vitamins, TUMS, Rolaids, Pepcid, and Fosamax) for 24 hours.
- Refrain from eating for 2 hours prior to the exam.
- Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing to your test. Try to wear items that don’t have metal (zippers, buttons, or buckles). You’ll have to remove clothing and jewelry that contains metal before the test.
You won’t be able to have a DEXA scan within 7 days from other tests with contrast or barium.
A bone density scan uses low levels of X-rays to measure the density and mineral content of your bones. It’s similar to a typical X-ray. That’s what the X in DEXA stands for. You will be positioned lying down. Your technologist will help you position your body. They might put foam blocks under or around you to hold your legs in the proper position. The technician will pass a scanning arm over your body that takes pictures of your bones. Technicians usually scan your hips and spine, but they may take scans of other bones throughout your body, too, like your forearms.
Once your exam is complete, no restrictions will be placed upon you. You may eat, drive, and resume your activities as usual.
A radiologist will examine your images, and their report will be available within 24-48 hours of your examination. Your healthcare provider can review those results with you.
IMI also provides a patient portal where you can access your images and reports. Reports will be available in the patient portal as soon as it has been read by the radiologist (generally within 48 business hours).
Sign up here.
