When you hear DEXA scan, a type of low-dose X-ray that measures bone mineral density and body fat distribution. Also known as dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, it’s the gold standard for spotting early bone loss before fractures happen. Unlike regular X-rays, which only show broken bones, a DEXA scan catches thinning bones years before they become a problem. It’s not just for older adults—people on long-term steroids, those with rheumatoid arthritis, or anyone who’s lost height or had a fracture from a minor fall should get one.
It’s also used to measure body composition, the percentage of fat, muscle, and bone in your body—something regular scales can’t do. Athletes, people recovering from illness, or those managing weight loss use it to track real changes, not just numbers on a scale. For example, someone might lose 10 pounds but gain muscle and lose fat—only a DEXA scan shows that. It’s also used in research to study how medications like glucocorticoids or SGLT2 inhibitors, a class of diabetes drugs linked to bone density changes affect bone health over time.
What you get back isn’t just a number—it’s a T-score that tells you if your bone density is normal, low (osteopenia), or osteoporotic. A T-score below -2.5 means you’re at high risk for fractures. The scan takes less than 15 minutes, uses almost no radiation (less than a flight from New York to LA), and doesn’t require fasting or injections. You don’t need to be sick to get one. If you’re over 50, have a family history of hip fractures, or took hormone therapy after menopause, it’s worth asking your doctor. Even if you feel fine, bones can weaken silently.
Some of the posts below show how DEXA scans connect to real-world health decisions—like how dapagliflozin, a diabetes drug that can impact bone density needs monitoring, or how long-term use of meloxicam, an NSAID that may affect bone healing could influence your bone health strategy. Others explore how lifestyle changes—like hydration, movement, and avoiding certain meds—can protect your skeleton. You’ll find practical advice from people who’ve been through it: when to get tested, what the results mean, and how to act on them before it’s too late.
Published on Nov 14
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Learn how DEXA scan results like T-scores predict fracture risk, what osteopenia and osteoporosis really mean, and how to use FRAX to understand your true bone health - without waiting for a break to sound the alarm.