DEXA Scan at St. Elizabeth Women’s Health 

Bone health is an important part of aging. If your physician is evaluating you for osteoporosis, he or she will order a DEXA (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) scan – a quick, painless and non-invasive test that measures bone mineral density. 

What is a DEXA Scan?

A DEXA scan measures your bone mass at specific locations like the hip and spine and sometimes the forearm. Our certified bone densitometrists at St. Elizabeth Women’s Health focus on the bone mineral density measurements in the hip and spine bones, which help to reliably diagnose osteoporosis and determine your risk of a future fracture.

A DEXA scan can also help your physician:

• Predict your risk of a fracture in the next ten years.
• Determine your rate of bone loss.
• Monitor the effects of treatment if you are being treated for osteoporosis.
• Find undetected vertebral fractures, which can have a significant impact on your health if left undiagnosed. 

Do You Need a DEXA Scan? 

DEXA scans are a quick and painless way to identify potential bone issues and take precautions and/or treatment if necessary. 

Talk to your primary care physician if you: 

• Are a woman over the age of 65. 
• No longer have menstrual cycles. 
• Have a family history of osteoporosis. 
• Have low body weight. 
• Recently have broken a bone.
• Are a smoker. 

Men over the age of 70 or adults with certain medical conditions may also benefit from a DEXA scan. Take this one-minute online survey to quickly assess your osteoporosis risk.