A DEXA scan (also known as Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry, ‘bone mineral density’ or BMD) uses an X-Ray to measure the density levels of bone minerals.
A DEXA scan of bone density scan is a painless scan that identifies low bone mineral density levels, which could indicate the risk of osteoporosis in older men and women.
Osteoporosis is a condition which affects the density of the bones, making the bones more fragile and increasing the risk of fractures. Unfortunately, symptoms of osteoporosis don’t present themselves until a bone is fractured. DEXA scans enable medical professionals to assess the density of your bones and whether or not you are at risk of contracting osteoporosis.
The condition is most common in post-menopausal women as the drop in oestrogen during the menopause can result in the loss of bone density. However, osteoporosis can affect people of all ages and can affect men as well as women
If you're a woman over 50 or a man over 60 then it may be recommended that you have a DEXA scan to assess your risk of developing osteoporosis.
Measuring bone density
During a DEXA scan, you will lay on your back so your body can be scanned by an X-Ray machine which will pass over an area of your body, most often the hips or spine, to assess the density of your bones. The test only takes around 5-15 minutes depending which areas of your body are scanned.
Booking a DEXA scan appointment
DEXA scans are carried out with our partner provider in Warrington, and can be booked through Pall Mall Medical at any of our sites or online. We can provide the referral letter if you don’t have one already from your GP and/or existing Consultant. There are no waiting lists at Pall Mall Medical and we’ll find a convenient date and time to suit your schedule.
DEXA scan prices
| Service | Price |
| DEXA Bone Mineral Density Scan | £200 |
