- Women 65+ and men 70+, plus younger adults with defined bone-loss risk
- People with fragility fracture, bone-loss conditions or medications
- Athletes or patients with a specific body-composition decision and consistent follow-up conditions
Standard of care
TEST PASSPORT · REVIEWED JULY 2026
DXA: bone density + body composition
Use clinical bone density correctly—and treat body composition as a trend, not a grade.Central DXA is the clinical standard for bone mineral density. Some facilities add body-composition estimates, which are useful when repeated on the same machine under similar conditions.
ACCESSImaging centerLow-dose X-ray
TURNAROUNDSame day to several daysProvider and location dependent
RELATIVE COST$$–$$$Total downstream cost matters
COMMERCE STATUSFacility pathwayLocal DXA referral with bone + composition options
HOW TO USE THIS PAGE
Decide whether this test deserves a place in your plan.
- 01Confirm the question
Be clear about what decision the result would change before ordering.
- 02Check fit and preparation
Review who it helps, who should pause and how to protect the quality of the signal.
- 03Plan the response
Know what you will do with a normal, abnormal or unclear result.
01 / WHO SHOULD TAKE IT
Fit the test to
the person.
Testing is useful when the result can change a real decision. These are educational selection criteria, not a diagnosis or personal order.- Monthly body-fat tracking
- Comparing numbers across different machine models as if identical
02 / SIGNAL VS. STORY
What it tells you.
What it cannot.
01
Bone mineral density at clinically relevant sites
02
T-score or Z-score in the correct population
03
Estimated lean mass, fat mass and regional distribution when included
01
Body composition depends on machine, software and hydration
02
T-scores and Z-scores are not interchangeable
03
A scan does not measure muscle quality, strength or fracture risk by itself
03 / MARKERS + RANGES
Read the panel
without chasing flags.
The report should show its own method, units and laboratory reference interval. Clinical decision thresholds may be different from a lab interval. We do not invent a universal “optimal” range where authoritative guidance does not support one.Use the laboratory unit and method, then interpret with symptoms, trend and the decision this marker can change.
Use the laboratory unit and method, then interpret with symptoms, trend and the decision this marker can change.
Use the laboratory unit and method, then interpret with symptoms, trend and the decision this marker can change.
Use the laboratory unit and method, then interpret with symptoms, trend and the decision this marker can change.
Use the laboratory unit and method, then interpret with symptoms, trend and the decision this marker can change.
MEN, WOMEN + LIFE-STAGE CONTEXT
The correct range is personal context—not pink versus blue numbers.
Where biology differs, we call it out. Clinical interpretation should also reflect organs present, hormone therapy, pregnancy, age, medications and health history.
Routine bone-density indications begin earlier; menopause, early ovarian insufficiency and pregnancy/lactation history can change risk.
Routine indications often begin later, but low testosterone, steroids, fragility fracture and other risks can justify earlier testing.
04 / PREPARATION
Protect the quality
of the signal.
The best assay cannot rescue the wrong timing, wrong specimen or wrong question. Follow the ordering clinician and laboratory instructions when they differ from this general guide.Use the same facility and machine when trending body composition.
Follow instructions on calcium supplements, clothing and recent contrast studies.
Tell the facility if pregnancy is possible because DXA uses ionizing radiation.
REPEAT CADENCEBone-density repeat timing depends on baseline risk and treatment. Body-composition trends need months, not weeks.
05 / AFTER THE RESULT
Turn the number
into a next step.
- 01
Use clinical scores appropriate to age and sex
- 02
Pair composition with strength, waist and performance
- 03
Address fracture risk with the full clinical picture
DO NOT WAIT ON A CONSUMER TEST
A fragility fracture, sudden height loss or severe new back pain needs clinical assessment
06 / MODERN BIO SELECT
Built for a responsible purchase path.
The booking flow should distinguish clinical bone DXA from wellness body-composition scans.DXA: bone density + body composition
- Future format
- Local DXA referral with bone + composition options
- Price position
- Transparent facility cash price
- Before checkout
- Eligibility · method · privacy · total cost · interpretation · abnormal-result routing
07 / SCIENTIFIC FOUNDATION