A DEXA scan is an imaging test that measures bone density (strength). DEXA scan results can provide helpful details about your risk for osteoporosis (bone loss) and fractures (bone breaks). This test can also measure your body composition, such as body fat and muscle mass.
A bone density test, DEXA, measures the mineral content of the bones in certain areas of the skeleton. It’s a way to measure bone loss as you age. Healthcare providers sometimes call these tests bone densitometry tests, or DXA.
A DEXA scan is a type of medical imaging test. It uses very low levels of x-rays to measure how dense your bones are. DEXA stands for “dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.”
Medical experts consider DEXA scans to be the most useful, easy, and inexpensive test for helping to diagnose osteoporosis. The test is quick and painless.
