How to Prepare for Your Body Composition DEXA Scan

What to Expect During a DEXA Scan Appointment

Wondering what happens during a DEXA scan? Don’t worry—it’s a simple and non-invasive process. Let’s take a walk through what you can expect, from the moment you step into the scanning room to how the DEXA machine works to measure your body composition.

Stepping into the Scanning Room

When it’s your turn, you’ll be brought into a private room where the DEXA machine is set up. It looks like a large, flat table with an arm overhead that will move across your body. No need to be concerned—you won’t feel a thing!

Here’s a look at the body scanning process:

Settle In: You’ll lie on the padded table, and a technologist will help position you correctly to get the best results.
Stay Still: It’s almost like taking a brief nap—you’ll need to stay still for about 10 to 20 minutes while the DEXA scanner’s arm slowly moves over your body. It won’t touch you, so you can just relax.
All Done: The scan is complete before you know it! The technologist will let you know when it’s time to get up and move on with your day.

What DEXA Equipment Does

Now that you know what to expect during the scan, let’s look at how the DEXA equipment works to provide such detailed insights into your body composition.

Dual X-ray Absorptiometry: That’s what DEXA stands for. The machine uses a very low dose of X-ray energy, even less than what you’d be exposed to during a cross-country flight.
Two X-ray Beams: The machine sends out two beams—one high-energy and one low-energy. It measures how much of each is absorbed by your bones and soft tissue, giving a detailed breakdown of your body composition.
Data Analysis: The DEXA scan precisely measures your body fat, lean muscle mass, and bone density. It’s far more accurate than any home scale or body fat calculator.

Reach out to DEXA Solutions for top-tier body composition scanners and expert support, ensuring accurate results every time.

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Do You Need to Fast Before Your DEXA Scan?

If you’re getting ready for a body composition DEXA scan, you might be wondering about the do’s and don’ts—especially when it comes to eating and drinking. The big question is: Do you need to fast?

No Fasting Required: The good news is that you don’t need to fast before a body composition DEXA scan. You can eat and drink as you normally would, making the whole process as easy and stress-free as possible—perfect for busy schedules!

Keep It Consistent: If you’ve had a DEXA scan before, try to maintain the same eating habits as before your previous scans. This consistency helps ensure your results are as accurate and comparable as possible.

Listen to Your Body: While fasting isn’t necessary, listening to your body is still important. Avoid heavy meals right before the scan if they make you feel uncomfortable. The goal is to be as comfortable as possible during your scan.

Consult Your Doctor: If your scan is for clinical reasons, your doctor might have specific instructions about eating and drinking. Always follow any guidance provided by your healthcare provider.

Clothing and Accessory Considerations for a DEXA Scan

What you wear when getting ready for a body composition DEXA scan can affect the accuracy of your results. Dressing appropriately is key to ensuring your scan is as precise as possible.

Here’s what you should wear:

Comfortable Clothing: Choose loose-fitting, comfortable clothes without metal fasteners, zippers, or buttons. Think gym wear, like a tracksuit or soft sports leggings and a T-shirt.
Sports Bra: For women, wearing a sports bra without underwires or clasps is ideal to avoid interference with the scan’s sensors.
Socks: Since you’ll likely be asked to remove your shoes, wearing socks is a good idea to stay warm and comfortable during the scan.

Here’s what to leave at home:

Jewelry: All jewelry should be removed before your scan to prevent any image distortion.
Metallic Items: This includes belts with metal buckles, hairpins, watches, and coins in your pockets. If it has metal, it’s best to leave it at home or be ready to take it off before the scan.
Electronic Devices: Remove cell phones and other electronic gadgets from your person during the scan.

Staying Hydrated for Body Composition Accuracy

Hydration impacts the electrical conductivity of your body, which is measured during a DEXA scan to differentiate between lean and fat tissues. Here’s why you should prioritize proper hydration before your appointment:

Better Accuracy: Dehydration can distort the results of your DEXA scan, making it more difficult to accurately distinguish between different tissue types.
Consistent Measurements: Maintaining stable hydration levels ensures that repeated DEXA scans can be reliably compared over time.

Managing Medications Before Your DEXA Scan

Some medications can influence the readings of a DEXA scan, especially those that alter mineral density, water retention, or tissue composition. For instance, calcium supplements might show higher bone density, while diuretics can affect your hydration levels, which could change how the scan assesses your lean and fat tissue.

Before your DEXA scan, let your healthcare provider know about all the medications you’re taking, including:

Prescription medications
Over-the-counter drugs
Dietary supplements
Herbal remedies

Your doctor can guide you on whether any adjustments are needed or if you should continue your usual medication routine to see how your body composition is responding to treatment.

Plan Ahead for Accurate Results

Being proactive about managing your medications is key to getting accurate scan results. If you need to make changes:

Plan any adjustments well before your scan date.
Always make medication changes under the supervision of your healthcare provider.
Never stop taking any medication without professional advice.

How DEXA Scans Offer a Comprehensive View of Body Composition

The DEXA (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) scan analyzes body composition with exceptional accuracy. Low-dose X-ray beams measure bone mineral density and break down your body weight into three key components: fat mass, lean muscle mass, and bone mineral content. This detailed information gives you a much clearer picture of your overall health than standard scales or visual assessments ever could.

Why Choose DEXA Scans Over Other Body Composition Tests?

So, what makes DEXA scans stand out compared to other body composition tests? The answer lies in their precision and reliability. Unlike methods like bioelectrical impedance or skinfold measurements, which can vary in accuracy, DEXA scans provide consistent and detailed results. This makes them a top choice for anyone looking to closely monitor their health, set realistic fitness goals, or create a nutrition plan tailored to their unique body composition. By embracing the insights from a DEXA scan, you can take your personal health journey to the next level with confidence and clarity.

Who Benefits Most From a Body Composition DEXA Scan?

When managing specific health issues, a DEXA (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) scan offers much more than just bone density measurements. Here’s how individuals with certain health conditions can greatly benefit from regular DEXA scans:

Osteoporosis: Seeing Beyond the Surface

For those battling osteoporosis, a condition that weakens bones and increases the risk of fractures, routine DEXA scans are invaluable. These scans offer a detailed view of bone density, helping you and your healthcare provider monitor the condition’s progression and the effectiveness of your treatment plan.

Sarcopenia: Measuring the Unseen

As we age, losing skeletal muscle mass and strength—known as sarcopenia—is common. The interpretation of DEXA scan results helps diagnose and manage sarcopenia by quantifying muscle loss. This data can guide dietary and exercise interventions to help maintain muscle function and overall mobility.

Obesity: The Scale Tells Half the Story

While obesity might seem easy to diagnose with a scale, weight alone doesn’t tell the whole story. DEXA scans provide a comprehensive analysis of body composition, differentiating between fat, muscle, and bone mass. This nuanced evaluation can help guide more effective weight management strategies.

Get Top-Tier Performance and Savings With Our Body Composition Scanners

DEXA Solutions provides top-of-the-line body composition scan machines and comprehensive machine services that ensure you can deliver high-quality patient results. Our refurbished equipment offers the same reliability and performance as brand-new machines but at a fraction of the cost, saving you significant money.

We support you through every step of the process—from shipping and installation to calibration—so you can start using your DEXA scanner with confidence. Plus, with our 12-month warranty and optional extended service contracts, you’re covered for any maintenance or repairs, backed by our team of expert field engineers with over 100 years of combined experience.