Diagnostics

DEXA Scan

Measure your body fat, lean muscle and bone density to the exact percentage.

Healthcare professional operating scanning machine with patient lying on exam table in blue room
Healthcare professional operating scanning machine with patient lying on exam table in blue room

DEXA Scan Benefits

Take control of your weight, heart health, and bone health with the gold standard in body composition analysis.

DEXA provides a detailed evaluation of your fat, muscle, and bone density ratios, offering nuanced insights into your weight distribution and its impact on how you move, feel, and age.

Get precise body mass data

DEXA goes beyond BMI, revealing precise fat, muscle, and bone density ratios for a deeper understanding of your body.

Detect health risks early

Stay ahead of chronic issues by identifying your risk for osteoporosis, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

Track your progress with precise data

Monitor exact changes in fat, muscle, bone density, and refine your health regimen to meet your goals.

The DEXA Experience

Tracking your health should add to your life—not consume it.

Our DEXA scan experience is designed to simplify your path to taking control of your weight, heart health, and bone health.

You’ll receive detailed preparation guidelines from our team ahead of your DEXA scan. In general, we recommend fasting for four hours and avoiding calcium supplements for 24 hours prior to your appointment. Please wear loose, comfortable clothing on the day of your scan.

As you lie still on the DEXA machine, it emits low-level x-rays to differentiate between your fat, muscle, and bone.

Right after your test, our clinical team will review your results with you and answer any questions you may have. You’ll leave with your full report in hand—no waiting or follow-up required.

Use your baseline DEXA results to effectively track your progress over time and make informed health decisions.

Patient Testimonials

“At Extension Health, I have found a haven of wellness sophistication and rejuvenation. Through the DEXA Scan, I gained invaluable knowledge about my health path. My heartfelt thanks to Dr Kuo for his exceptional care!”
—Grace
“I had a wonderful experience at Extension Health. I got my results literally right after I was done and a doctor came to explain it to me. You really feel like you’re in good hands here."
—Keighley
“What an incredible experience at Extension Health. From the front desk to the doctors, everyone was so friendly, and the office was beautiful. I am looking forward to learning more about my results from the DEXA scan to make changes for a healthier lifestyle!”
—Lindsay

"What an incredible experience at Extension Health. From the front desk to the doctors, everyone was so friendly, and the office was beautiful. I am looking forward to learning more about my results from the DEXA Scan to make changes for a healthier lifestyle!"

—Lindsey

"At Extension Health, I have found a haven of wellness sophistication and rejuvenation. Through the DEXA Scan, I gained invaluable knowledge about my health path. My heartfelt thanks to Dr Kuo for his exceptional care!"

—Grace

“I had a wonderful experience at Extension Health. I got my results literally right after I was done and a doctor came to explain it to me. You really feel like you’re in good hands here.”

—Keighley

DEXA Scan FAQs

Click the drop down for details on each question.

At Extension Health’s NYC clinic, you can choose from three different DEXA appointment types:

  • DEXA Body Composition Scan (from $250)
  • DEXA Bone Density Scan (from $250)
  • DEXA Body Composition and Bone Density Scan (from $400)

DEXA scans are generally considered safe and use lower level x-rays than other types of imaging machines.

DEXA scans are not recommended if you are pregnant.

Regular DEXA scan body fat measurement can help you identify potential chronic risks. For example, if your visceral fat percentage grows from year to year, it may indicate that your risk for developing metabolic conditions is increasing.

Assessing body fat from BMI alone can be challenging. If you aim to reduce body fat and increase muscle mass for better longevity or training, DEXA scans offer a detailed breakdown of your weight distribution, helping you determine if adjustments to your fitness and lifestyle regimen are needed.

Wear loose, comfortable clothing to your DEXA scan appointment.

We recommend fasting for four hours and avoiding calcium pills for 24 hours before your scan.

Recommendations for how frequently you should book a DEXA scan depend on your age, risk factors and health goals.

A DEXA scan is primarily used to assess bone mineral density and body composition, such as body fat and lean muscle mass. It is not designed to detect cancer. However, it may identify certain bone-related conditions, like osteoporosis, which could be linked to underlying health issues. If you have concerns about cancer, it’s important to consult with your healthcare provider for the appropriate diagnostic tests.

The scan itself typically takes no more than 10 minutes. However, if you're having both body composition and bone density measurements, the process may take slightly longer. Additionally, factor in some extra time for result interpretation by the technician or doctor. Overall, you can expect the entire appointment to last about 20-30 minutes.

DEXA scans are considered one of the most accurate and reliable methods for measuring bone density and body composition. They offer a high level of precision in assessing bone mineral density, which helps in diagnosing conditions like osteoporosis. While very accurate, the results can be influenced by factors such as body size, hydration levels, or the use of certain medications. It’s essential to follow any pre-scan instructions for the most accurate results.

We also recommend

Your health journey doesn’t stop here — it’s all connected. That’s why we recommend pairing this service with the Comprehensive Diagnostics Package.

Comprehensive Diagnostics Package

Build a strong foundation for your long-term health with a package that covers your cardiovascular, metabolic and musculoskeletal health, as well as your aging biomarkers.

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