DEXA
Low-dose bone density. Body composition cash-pay also available.
What a DEXA scan is
DEXA (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, also written DXA) is the medical standard for measuring bone density. A low-dose scan of your hip and spine measures how strong your bones are and tells your physician your risk of osteoporosis and fracture — often years before a break would otherwise reveal it. The radiation dose is remarkably small: less than one-tenth of a standard chest X-ray, and less than a single day of natural background radiation.
Who should have one
Your physician may recommend a DEXA scan if you are:
- A post-menopausal woman, especially if not taking estrogen
- Anyone with a personal or family history of hip fracture, or a fracture from a minor fall
- A long-term user of corticosteroids or certain anti-seizure medications
- Living with rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, kidney or liver disease, or other conditions linked to bone loss
- Tracking how well an osteoporosis treatment is working over time
DEXA at Crown Valley
We perform DEXA at our Mission Viejo office on a central DXA system — the clinical-standard equipment (not the smaller wrist/heel "peripheral" units you might see at a pharmacy), which is more sensitive and the type used to diagnose and monitor osteoporosis. The exam takes about 30 minutes, and every scan is read by a board-certified radiologist who signs the report.
A few practical notes specific to our office:
- Weight limit: 350 lbs (an equipment limit).
- Age: patients must be 21 or older.
Body composition — by DEXA, cash-pay
The same DEXA technology measures body fat, lean muscle, and visceral fat with research-grade accuracy. That's a self-pay screening exam (no order needed) — see the DEXA Body Composition Scan, which includes a bone-density scan in the same sitting.
What to expect
Before. No fasting — eat normally. The one rule: stop calcium supplements 24 hours before your scan. Milk and dairy foods are fine; it's only the pills/tablets that interfere. Wear comfortable, metal-free clothing, and let us know if you've had a barium study or a contrast/nuclear-medicine scan recently (those can require a short waiting period).
During. You lie on a padded table while a scanning arm passes slowly over your hip and spine. There's nothing in a tunnel, nothing tight, no injection — just hold still and briefly hold your breath when asked. It's quick and painless.
After. No downtime at all — resume everything immediately. Your radiologist reads the scan and the signed report goes to your ordering physician — for routine exams, within 48 business hours. For your own copy, email medicalrecords@cvimaging.net.
Understanding your results: T-score and Z-score
Your DEXA report gives two numbers. They're worth knowing — most imaging centers never explain them:
- T-score compares your bone density to a healthy young adult at peak bone mass. By the standard definition: −1.0 and above is normal, −1.1 to −2.4 is osteopenia (low bone mass), and −2.5 or below is osteoporosis.
- Z-score compares you to others your own age, size, and sex. An unusually low Z-score can prompt your physician to look for an underlying cause.
Your physician reads these alongside your overall risk and decides whether any treatment makes sense.
Is it safe?
Yes. DEXA uses one of the lowest radiation doses in all of medical imaging — again, less than a single day of natural background radiation — and nothing remains in your body afterward. If you are or might be pregnant, tell us before scheduling.
What it costs
Self-pay DEXA bone density at Crown Valley starts at $242, quoted up front — request a Good Faith Estimate to get it in writing. If you're using insurance, we verify your eligibility and handle any pre-authorization. Your out-of-pocket cost depends on your plan's deductible and coverage — your insurer can confirm exactly what you'll owe.
Frequently asked questions
- No. You lie on a padded table while a scanning arm passes over you — no needles, no tunnel, nothing tight. It takes about 30 minutes.
- Very little — less than one-tenth of a chest X-ray, and less than a day's worth of natural background radiation.
- Just stop calcium supplements (pills) for 24 hours. No fasting; dairy foods are fine. Wear metal-free clothing.
- Often every two years to track changes, though your physician may want it sooner if you're on certain medications. Tip: for accurate comparison, have follow-up scans on the same machine when you can.
- A T-score of −1.0 or higher is considered normal; −2.5 or lower indicates osteoporosis. Your physician interprets your score with your other risk factors.
- For an insurance-billed bone-density DEXA, yes. The DEXA body-composition (body-fat) scan is self-pay and needs no order — book it directly.
- Your report goes to your ordering physician after our radiologist signs it — for routine exams, within 48 business hours. For your own copy: medicalrecords@cvimaging.net.