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How can DEXA scan be accurate representation of body fat percentage?
icemom011
Posts: 999 Member
I am planning to get my bone density scan done, and i was hoping to find out my body fat percentage at the same time, since it's same test. But how the body fat numbers are accurately represent your actual percentage if they only scan your thigh and spine? For example, my spine is really low in fat, i believe, but my thigh is not, in fact, that's where the most of my remaining body fat is, lol. My upper body and my legs below knee are pretty lean, so how does it work? They will just combine the two readings and split it down the middle? Or am i missing something? Will i even get my body fat percentage from test that's geared towards bone loss? Any knowledge and experience in this area will be much appreciated. Thank you all.
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? I think DEXA scans are full body. All of the images I've seen people post show them head to toe.0
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I don't think I've ever seen a Dexa that is just the thigh and spine...all of the one's I've seen look to be a full body scan as they not only tell you bone density and BF%, but also how that fat is distributed throughout the body.1
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I did one, and it was full body.0
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Doctor told me the thigh and spine is what they check for bone density, and also when i googled it, was the same. I hope it's a full body, although it's a lot more radiation than i care for. Ughhh0
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I have done several, and it is full body. They may use just the femur and spine measurements to calculate the result, but the entire body is measured.
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Ok, awesome.
What do you mean by measured, how is it done, i was under impression that it's an xray test?MakePeasNotWar wrote: »I have done several, and it is full body. They may use just the femur and spine measurements to calculate the result, but the entire body is measured.
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Ok, awesome.
What do you mean by measured, how is it done, i was under impression that it's an xray test?MakePeasNotWar wrote: »I have done several, and it is full body. They may use just the femur and spine measurements to calculate the result, but the entire body is measured.
Yes, it probably would have been clearer to say the whole body is scanned, so all the data is available.0 -
Doctor told me the thigh and spine is what they check for bone density, and also when i googled it, was the same. I hope it's a full body, although it's a lot more radiation than i care for. Ughhh
It's a very small amount of radiation - from https://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/DEXA-scan/Pages/Introduction.aspx
DEXA scans use a much lower level of radiation than standard X-ray examinations, which means that the radiographer (the technical specialist carrying out the scan) can stay in the scanning room with you during the scan.
The amount of radiation used during a DEXA scan varies depending on the area of the body being examined, but is very low and less than two days' exposure to natural background radiation (NBR).
By comparison, a chest X-ray uses the equivalent of about three days' exposure to NBR, and a flight to North America (Transatlantic flight) is equivalent to approximately a week's exposure to NBR.
Despite being very safe procedures, DEXA scans and X-rays aren't recommended for pregnant women, as X-rays can damage an unborn child.0 -
A dexa scan for bone density and a dexa scan for body fat are different, not in technology, but in purpose. If the purpose of the test is just to get a reading on your bone density, it may well be just spine and thigh. It's not the same as what you would get from a fitness place looking at body composition, if that makes sense.
I was trying to find a place that would do a body composition scan closer to me, but there aren't any. I had to drive a few hours. But there are health clinics that do dexa scans for bone density much closer to me.2 -
Your physician and tech can conduct a limited targeted scan or a opt for a full body scan. The readings will be slightly different as the input points and searches are different to server separate needs.
Much of this depends on the calibration of the equipment and the skill of the technician.
No concern on the radiation - it's a fraction of most X-ray devices, especially on the gear made after 2005.0 -
Thank you. I was hoping to get both measurements done at the same time, my insurance covers bone density test. Called my dr to get script for full body scan, and they never heard of such thing, that dexa gives you body fat info. I reaYour physician and tech can conduct a limited targeted scan or a opt for a full body scan. The readings will be slightly different as the input points and searches are different to server separate needs.
Much of this depends on the calibration of the equipment and the skill of the technician.
No concern on the radiation - it's a fraction of most X-ray devices, especially on the gear made after 2005.
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I really need new dr.HealthyBodySickMind wrote: »A dexa scan for bone density and a dexa scan for body fat are different, not in technology, but in purpose. If the purpose of the test is just to get a reading on your bone density, it may well be just spine and thigh. It's not the same as what you would get from a fitness place looking at body composition, if that makes sense.
I was trying to find a place that would do a body composition scan closer to me, but there aren't any. I had to drive a few hours. But there are health clinics that do dexa scans for bone density much closer to me.
Yes, that makes sense. You still had to get prescription or a referral?0 -
Thank you. I was hoping to get both measurements done at the same time, my insurance covers bone density test. Called my dr to get script for full body scan, and they never heard of such thing, that dexa gives you body fat info. I reaYour physician and tech can conduct a limited targeted scan or a opt for a full body scan. The readings will be slightly different as the input points and searches are different to server separate needs.
Much of this depends on the calibration of the equipment and the skill of the technician.
No concern on the radiation - it's a fraction of most X-ray devices, especially on the gear made after 2005.
Most physicians hold narrow specialties simply due to the massive amounts of information out there. I would not expect anyone specializing in osteopathic medicine to know anything but that.0 -
Since your insurance only covers bone density I don't think you're going to be able to also get a body fat analysis at the same time. Even if the information were available in the standard bone density scan, the insurance wouldn't pay to have information analyzed and documented, since that would be chargeable time for any medical professionals involved. I think if you want the body fat analysis you'll have to find some way to get it done privately.0
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Since your insurance only covers bone density I don't think you're going to be able to also get a body fat analysis at the same time. Even if the information were available in the standard bone density scan, the insurance wouldn't pay to have information analyzed and documented, since that would be chargeable time for any medical professionals involved. I think if you want the body fat analysis you'll have to find some way to get it done privately.
Right, that's why i was calling my doctor to get a separate script for that, and they told me he orhis staff have not heard of such thing
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Since your insurance only covers bone density I don't think you're going to be able to also get a body fat analysis at the same time. Even if the information were available in the standard bone density scan, the insurance wouldn't pay to have information analyzed and documented, since that would be chargeable time for any medical professionals involved. I think if you want the body fat analysis you'll have to find some way to get it done privately.
Right, that's why i was calling my doctor to get a separate script for that, and they told me he orhis staff have not heard of such thing
Ah, I see. Have the Dr. write the separate script for the body fat analysis, which wouldn't be covered by insurance but you would be willing to pay out of pocket to have done so as not to have to get a second scan just for that.
My guess is that if you want the same medical lab to do the body fat scan, they don't have anyone on staff who would know how to do it, and chances are if you took the scan images to a fitness lab they would want to do their own scan anyway. In theory it's a great idea, but I don't see it being practical in real life
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Not sure if insurance covers this - good luck.
If not a scan runs ~50-100 USD depending on the site.0 -
Not sure if insurance covers this - good luck.
If not a scan runs ~50-100 USD depending on the site.
I get a DXA scan every 3 months and they only cost $45 from a mobile scanning company.
Brick and motar locations, under the pretense of being medical facilities, often charge 2-3x's more.0 -
Not sure if insurance covers this - good luck.
If not a scan runs ~50-100 USD depending on the site.
I get a DXA scan every 3 months and they only cost $45 from a mobile scanning company.
Brick and motar locations, under the pretense of being medical facilities, often charge 2-3x's more.
Mine isn't a "medical facility" but a fitness facility, but they charge 90. I got lucky and they had a deal to buy 5 for 250. People should try asking for a deal if they by multiple scans at once.0 -
Nike deal. I asked how much it will run at the facility i will be using for bone density test, they thold me $ 1195, whaaaat? How insane is that price?richardgavel wrote: »Not sure if insurance covers this - good luck.
If not a scan runs ~50-100 USD depending on the site.
I get a DXA scan every 3 months and they only cost $45 from a mobile scanning company.
Brick and motar locations, under the pretense of being medical facilities, often charge 2-3x's more.
Mine isn't a "medical facility" but a fitness facility, but they charge 90. I got lucky and they had a deal to buy 5 for 250. People should try asking for a deal if they by multiple scans at once.0 -
Not sure where you're located...I live in Germany and had a DEXA scan done a couple of years ago after searching ages to find a place that would do it (one of the many, many, bone-density-scanning clinics also did BF% analysis). I talked to the doctor at the clinic, and she said that it's frowned upon in Germany and hardly ever offered because exposing clients to unnecessary radiation is technically illegal (bone density scans or x-rays may be necessary; determining your BF% is evidently not), even though the dose from a DEXA scan is negligible compared to life. So perhaps it's something that is just not widespread and/or intentionally cost-prohibitive in your are.0
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I have had a bone density test done as well using DEXA and it was only on my hips and thighs...
I would not count on anything more than that...or being able to use the data for anything but what it is meant for.1 -
Yes, thank you.I have had a bone density test done as well using DEXA and it was only on my hips and thighs...
I would not count on anything more than that...or being able to use the data for anything but what it is meant for.
It is what it is, data for bone density. Can't cheat the test, but bone density is the most important info for me at the moment.0 -
I really need new dr.HealthyBodySickMind wrote: »A dexa scan for bone density and a dexa scan for body fat are different, not in technology, but in purpose. If the purpose of the test is just to get a reading on your bone density, it may well be just spine and thigh. It's not the same as what you would get from a fitness place looking at body composition, if that makes sense.
I was trying to find a place that would do a body composition scan closer to me, but there aren't any. I had to drive a few hours. But there are health clinics that do dexa scans for bone density much closer to me.
Yes, that makes sense. You still had to get prescription or a referral?
I got a referral for the bone density test in town, but ended up cancelling that appointment when I realized it wouldn't tell me what I wanted to know for body fat.
Then I made an appointment with DexaFit, the closest one being about a 3 hr drive from me. The scan was $90 (after a coupon), and gave comprehensive data on body fat and distribution, as well as all the data I could possibly want on bone density including total Bone Mass in lbs, Bone Mineral Density in g/cm3 for 8 different regions of my body, a YA T-score, and an AM Z-score.0 -
HealthyBodySickMind wrote: »I really need new dr.HealthyBodySickMind wrote: »A dexa scan for bone density and a dexa scan for body fat are different, not in technology, but in purpose. If the purpose of the test is just to get a reading on your bone density, it may well be just spine and thigh. It's not the same as what you would get from a fitness place looking at body composition, if that makes sense.
I was trying to find a place that would do a body composition scan closer to me, but there aren't any. I had to drive a few hours. But there are health clinics that do dexa scans for bone density much closer to me.
Yes, that makes sense. You still had to get prescription or a referral?
I got a referral for the bone density test in town, but ended up cancelling that appointment when I realized it wouldn't tell me what I wanted to know for body fat.
Then I made an appointment with DexaFit, the closest one being about a 3 hr drive from me. The scan was $90 (after a coupon), and gave comprehensive data on body fat and distribution, as well as all the data I could possibly want on bone density including total Bone Mass in lbs, Bone Mineral Density in g/cm3 for 8 different regions of my body, a YA T-score, and an AM Z-score.
Wow, that's pretty awesome, and at such great price!0 -
Thank you for the lead, @HealthyBodySickMind , i googled Dexafit, and there's one close to me, and a coupon on groupon for it. But by now i did the bone density scan already, not sure if i should do a second one. I will think about it, but great info. So you weree happy with them?0
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HealthyBodySickMind wrote: »I really need new dr.HealthyBodySickMind wrote: »A dexa scan for bone density and a dexa scan for body fat are different, not in technology, but in purpose. If the purpose of the test is just to get a reading on your bone density, it may well be just spine and thigh. It's not the same as what you would get from a fitness place looking at body composition, if that makes sense.
I was trying to find a place that would do a body composition scan closer to me, but there aren't any. I had to drive a few hours. But there are health clinics that do dexa scans for bone density much closer to me.
Yes, that makes sense. You still had to get prescription or a referral?
I got a referral for the bone density test in town, but ended up cancelling that appointment when I realized it wouldn't tell me what I wanted to know for body fat.
Then I made an appointment with DexaFit, the closest one being about a 3 hr drive from me. The scan was $90 (after a coupon), and gave comprehensive data on body fat and distribution, as well as all the data I could possibly want on bone density including total Bone Mass in lbs, Bone Mineral Density in g/cm3 for 8 different regions of my body, a YA T-score, and an AM Z-score.
Wow, that's pretty awesome, and at such great price!
And although it wasn't covered by insurance, that is something that you can use an HSA for, if you have one.0 -
Thank you for the lead, @HealthyBodySickMind , i googled Dexafit, and there's one close to me, and a coupon on groupon for it. But by now i did the bone density scan already, not sure if i should do a second one. I will think about it, but great info. So you weree happy with them?
I was quite happy with them and the report. I was concerned about bone density after nursing for 3+ years, literally have the calcium sucked out of me. However, the lifting and the calcium/D tablets must have helped, I was actually quite above average, Z-score was 1.70 -
And my T-score was 1.2
I think with the T-score, you're considered fine as long as it's greater than -1. This was a helpful link I found on bone density scores and how they figure them: https://courses.washington.edu/bonephys/opbmdtz.html
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