Bone Health: What’s a DEXA Scan?

A DEXA scan is an X-ray that uses a low dose of radiation to measure your bone density. It’s the definitive test for diagnosing osteoporosis and osteopenia.

Who should get a DEXA scan?

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends bone density screening for:

• All women age 65 or older
• Women under 65 who have gone through menopause and are at increased risk for fracture

Who is most at risk?

Postmenopausal women are at the highest risk for bone loss. So, too, are women with a low body weight, a family history of broken hips, or a history of smoking or excessive alcohol use. If you meet any of these conditions, ask your doctor to perform a risk assessment so you know whether a bone density screening will benefit you.

Benefits of screening

Screening is the only way to determine whether you have osteopenia, a mild thinning of the bones, or osteoporosis, a more significant thinning. Neither condition shows symptoms, and most women don’t know they have them until they fracture a bone. The biggest risk of brittle bones is a hip fracture, an injury from which about 1 in 5 people never fully recover.

Locations for DEXA scans at Grand View Health: Harleysville, Lansdale, Pennsburg and Sellersville.

Call 215-453-4100 or schedule through the patient portal at MyGVH.org.