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Bone Density Service | Counties Manukau | Te Whatu Ora
Public Service, Older People's Health
DEXA Bone Densitometry Scan
DEXA (which stands for dual energy x-ray absorptiometry) scanning uses special x-rays to measure the density of your bones. The density of your bones will show how strong they are. The exposure to x-rays is very low and is similar to what you would receive on a long distance plane flight.
When you are coming into the hospital to have a bone density scan please observe the following:
- The bone density scan uses extremely small amounts of x-ray (one twentieth of a chest x-ray). A bone density scan should be avoided in pregnancy.
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You will lie very still on a padded table for 5-10 minutes while the arm of the machine passes over the area to be measured (usually the lower spine and hip, although the forearm can also be measured). This is quite painless.
- You do not have to undress but metal objects (buckles, zips, girdles, underwire bra, jewellery etc) interfere with the scan and may need to be removed.
A copy of the scan will go to your referring GP with a written interpretation by one of the specialists.
For more information and images about DEXA scanning click here.
