How Often Should I Get A DEXA Scan?

When it comes to measuring health, many people turn to the scale or look to the concepts of body mass index (BMI) as a standard measure. While tools like a scale can be helpful to track weight change trends, they don’t tell the full story.

Body composition is about more than simply body weight. Key metrics like visceral fat, bone density and lean mass are all insightful in understanding the true state of your health. These are all readings that your general scale can’t measure or will measure inaccurately.

This is where the DXA Scan comes in. Among all of the body composition tools available, the DXA Scan is the gold standard method for understanding your body from the inside out.

What Is a DXA Scan?

A DXA Scan, commonly referred to as a DEXA Scan, stands for dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. It’s a non-invasive scan that takes only 10 minutes. A DXA Scan uses two low-level X-ray beams to analyze your body’s composition.

While it’s widely used to check bone density in a hospital setting, it’s also capable of measuring fat mass, lean mass and physical symmetry. A DXA Scan is the most accurate way of capturing these important metrics and measures within a 1-2% margin of error.

What Does a DXA Scan Measure?

Unlike a traditional scale or other body composition measuring tools, a DXA Scan gives you a complete and segmental breakdown. It also provides ywith ou accurate measurements on bone density, lean and fat mass and physical symmetry. After getting a DXA Scan you’ll walk away with:

Bone Density

One of the most common reasons someone gets a DXA Scan, often in a medical setting, is to measure bone density. If you’re over 50 or have a family history of bone issues, paying attention to your bone health is essential. A DXA Scan offers the most reliable way to check in on your bone density, giving you a clear picture of how strong your bones really are.

Fat & Lean Muscle Mass

This is where a DXA Scan really shines, it breaks down your body into lean mass and fat mass. Then, goes even further, providing readings on visceral and subcutaneous fat. Subcutaneous fat is the fat underneath your skin; the stuff you can pinch. Whereas visceral fat lives deeper, surrounding your internal organs. It’s not as visible to the outside eye, but it’s far more dangerous.

Everyone has some visceral fat, as it helps cushion and protect organs. But, when it builds up excessively, it’s associated with serious health risks, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes and metabolic disfunction.

Since you can’t see or measure visceral fat in the mirror or on the scale, getting a DXA Scan is one of the only ways to understand your risk and take preventative action.

Physical Symmetry & Muscle Imbalance

One often-overlooked perk of a DXA Scan is its ability to measure physical symmetry. This includes muscle imbalances, uneven fat distribution, and other potential issues.

Catching these early helps you take targeted action before they snowball into more serious problems.

Should I Get a DXA Scan?

A DXA Scan is one of the most powerful tools for anyone who wants to take better control of their health. But it’s especially helpful for:

• People tracking fitness or athletic performance
• Individuals on a weight loss or muscle-building journey
• Post-menopausal women
• Active individuals interested in their longevity
• Those with a family history of bone disease
• Athletes
• People recovering from injury

Whether you’re curious about your baseline or working towards a specific goal, the clarity a DXA Scan provides is unmatched.

How Often Should I Get a DXA Scan?

Now that you know what a DXA Scan can reveal, the next question is how often you should actually get one. The answer depends entirely on your personal goals and health priorities, since there isn’t a universal schedule that works for everyone. Still, there are some helpful general guidelines to consider.

Suppose your main purpose for getting a DXA Scan is to monitor bone density, especially if you are over 50 or have a higher risk for osteoporosis. In that case, it’s typically recommended to schedule one scan per year. Bone loss happens gradually and often without symptoms, so an annual scan provides a clear and consistent way to track any changes before they become serious.

If you are focused on tracking body composition, such as fat loss, muscle gain, or improving athletic performance, getting a scan two to three times per year is ideal. This gives you enough time between scans to notice real progress, fine-tune your workout or nutrition plan and stay on track with your goals.

Whether you’re monitoring your bone health or working toward a body transformation, regular DXA scans are a smart and proactive way to stay informed and in control of your overall wellness.

The Human Powered Health Difference

Before your DXA Scan, our physiologists will meet with you to discuss your body composition goals and address any questions or concerns you may have. At Human Powered Health, we use high-precision, top-of-the-line technology to provide a superior level of service and quality in body composition testing.

After your DXA Scan, processing all the information can feel overwhelming, but we’re here to help simplify the results. Our team, staffed with Master’s and Ph.D. level performance physiologists will guide you through every detail, helping you understand your results and suggesting actionable steps to optimize your body composition.

At Human Powered Health, we go beyond providing individual metrics from your DXA Scan. Our team will break down every data point in detail, helping you understand what each measurement means for your health. You’ll leave with specific results on your body composition and an actionable plan to improve those metrics. If you’d like to discover your true body composition, click here to book your DXA Scan.