DEXA (Bone Densitometry)

Check your risk of osteoporosis with a bone density test at VHC Health in Arlington and the DC metro. It's also called a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan.

This simple, painless test checks the strength of your bones. Many people don’t know they’re losing bone until they break one. So, a DEXA scan can give your care team important information about your health.

Instructions

Bring your prescription (order form) to your appointment. For the best results:

• Don’t take calcium pills or supplements for 24 hours before the test.
• Don’t have any imaging tests with contrast dye (like a CT scan) for one week before your scan.
• Wear clothes without zippers or metal if you can, because metal can affect the pictures.
• Tell the technologist if you recently had surgery, a broken bone, or metal in your body.

The scan usually takes about 15 minutes. You can go back to your normal activities right after your appointment. A radiologist will read the images and send the results to your doctor.

What is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a disease that makes your bones thin and weak. It happens when your body loses too much bone, doesn’t make enough bone, or both. That means bones can break more easily—from a fall or even from a bump. Anyone can get osteoporosis, but it’s more common in people over age 50, especially women after menopause. Family history, certain medicines, smoking, and not getting enough calcium can raise your risk.

The word “osteoporosis” means “porous bone.” Healthy bone looks like a tight honeycomb. With osteoporosis, the spaces in that honeycomb get bigger. The bone becomes less dense and easier to break. Breaks often happen in the hip, wrist, or spine. If you’re 50 or older and have ever broken a bone, talk to your doctor about getting a bone density test.