Dexa

What is a Bone Density Scan (DXA)?

Bone density scanning, also called dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) or bone densitometry, is an enhanced form of x-ray technology that is used to measure bone loss. DXA is today's established standard for measuring bone mineral density (BMD).

 DXA is most often used to diagnose osteoporosis, a condition that often affects women after menopause but may also be found in men. Osteoporosis involves a gradual loss of calcium, as well as structural changes, causing the bones to become thinner, more fragile and more likely to break.DXA is also effective in tracking the effects of treatment for osteoporosis and other conditions that cause bone loss.

What are some common indications for DXA?

The DXA test can also assess an individual's risk for developing fractures. The risk of fracture is affected by age, body weight, history of prior fracture, family history of osteoporotic fractures and life style issues such as cigarette smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. These factors are taken into consideration when deciding if a patient needs therapy.

Recommendations for a Bone density test is strongly recommended if you, are a post-menopausal woman and not taking estrogen, have a personal or maternal history of hip fracture or smoking, are a post-menopausal woman who is tall (over 5 feet 7 inches) or thin (less than 125 pounds), are a man with clinical conditions associated with bone loss, use medications that are known to cause bone loss, have type 1 diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease or a family history of osteoporosis, have high bone turnover, which shows up in the form of excessive collagen in urine samples, have a thyroid condition, have a parathyroid condition, have experienced a fracture after only mild trauma, have had x-ray evidence of vertebral fracture or other signs of osteoporosis.

Preparing for your DXA exam?

On the day of the exam you may eat normally. You should not take calcium supplements for at least 24 hours before your exam.

You should wear loose, comfortable clothing, avoiding garments that have zippers, belts or buttons made of metal. You may be asked to remove some or all of your clothes and to wear a gown during the exam. You may also be asked to remove jewelry, dentures, eye glasses and any metal objects or clothing that might interfere with the x-ray images.

What does the DXA machine look like?

Our DXA machine has a large, flat table and an "arm" suspended overhead. The patient lies on a padded table and the arm moves back and forth over their body scanning as it goes along. Total test run time once the patients is on the table is less than (15) minutes.

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