Question 50 of 433
What is a DEXA scan, and is it worth it?
The short answer
A DEXA is a very low-radiation scan that measures bone density and, on many machines, muscle and fat. For bone it is essential. For body composition it is useful and optional.
Every woman should have a bone density scan by 65, earlier with risk factors, and men by 70. Osteoporosis is silent until a bone breaks, and a hip fracture after 70 carries about a one-in-five chance of death within a year, and up to one in three in frail patients.
A body composition DEXA shows how much muscle you carry in your arms and legs and how much fat sits deep in the belly around your organs. That visceral fat is the dangerous kind. A tape measure around the waist tells you most of the same story for free.
“This book is for education. It is not medical advice, and reading it does not make you my patient or create a doctor-patient relationship.” From the book’s medical disclaimer. Full disclaimer
GUIDELINE / HUMAN TRIALS — Risk-selected adults: bone-density-guided fracture prevention; body composition has less outcome evidence.Evidence grade (draft mapping)GGuideline-based / consensusPart 4, Q50 · Part sources
From Longevity Unmasked by Afshine Ash Emrani, MD, FACC. Medical disclaimer. This book is for education. It is not medical advice, and reading it does not make you my patient or create a doctor-patient relationship. Nothing here is meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Medicine is personal: a test, drug, supplement, or exercise plan that helps one person can harm another. Do not start, stop, or change any medication or treatment because of something you read in these pages. Talk with a licensed clinician who knows your history first. If you think you are having a medical emergency, call 911. The author disclaims responsibility for any loss or harm arising from use of the information in this book.