Fitness

When Ought to You Get a DEXA Scan? Consultants Say Sooner Than You Suppose

August 14, 2025
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Bone loss begins to speed up for all ladies of their mid-30s, so if you happen to’re beneath 50 and suppose DEXA scans and bone density considerations don’t apply to you—maintain up.

That is info you’ll need beneath your belt sooner somewhat than later. Let’s speak about why.

What’s a DEXA Scan?

A DEXA scan (quick for dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry) is a fast, non-invasive check that measures the mineral content material of your bones to evaluate bone density and monitor modifications over time.

Whereas it makes use of a small quantity of radiation, publicity is minimal—about one-tenth that of a chest x-ray and fewer than what you’d get from a single day of background radiation.

The scan takes about 10 minutes. You’ll lie on a desk whereas an imaging arm passes over key websites—mostly the lumbar backbone, hip, femoral neck, and wrist.

Why You May Want a DEXA Scan Sooner Than You Suppose

At this 12 months’s BHOF Interdisciplinary Symposium on Osteoporosis, ladies’s well being researcher Dr. Amanda Clark mentioned plainly: “Ready till age 65 to judge skeletal well being is just too late.”

Why? As a result of ladies start to lose bone quickly within the 12 months earlier than their ultimate menstrual interval (the official marker of menopause), and that elevated fee of loss continues for about two years after. On this quick window, ladies lose a median of 10% of their whole bone mass.

Because the common age of menopause is between 45 and 55, a girl may very well be dropping bone for 10 to twenty years with none consciousness or intervention.

Bone reworking—a wholesome, lifelong course of through which outdated or broken bone is damaged down and changed by new tissue—slows over time. By our mid-30s, bone resorption begins to outpace bone formation, leading to a gradual however regular decline in bone mass.

This loss accelerates through the menopausal transition, when estrogen—a key driver of bone formation—declines.

Whereas the CDC and the Bone Well being & Osteoporosis Basis (BHOF) nonetheless suggest a primary DEXA scan at age 65, many specialists are calling for up to date pointers that replicate rising proof: Ladies profit from having a baseline scan a lot earlier. Quite a few threat components already qualify many ladies for early screening—and insurance coverage will sometimes cowl the scan with a health care provider’s prescription indicating only one.

The best way to Get a Baseline DEXA Sooner

Insurance coverage sometimes covers a DEXA scan when osteoporosis threat is medically justified. With so many threat components—starting from physique composition to medicines—most ladies are seemingly lined for early testing.

Beneath is a non-exhaustive record of threat classes that will help you start a dialog along with your healthcare supplier:

Physique Composition & Demographic Threat Elements

  • Low Physique Weight / Slender Construct – Much less bone mass will increase vulnerability to loss.

  • Race – White and Asian ladies face a better threat of osteoporosis.

  • Household Historical past – A guardian with osteoporosis or a fragility fracture raises your threat.*

  • Fall Historical past – A bent to fall will increase fracture threat.*

Even minor falls (from standing peak or much less) that lead to fractures must be thought of pink flags. For instance, in case your mother broke her wrist tripping over a rug, that’s thought of a fragility fracture—even when she wasn’t formally recognized with osteoporosis.

Hormonal & Reproductive Elements

  • Menopause-Associated Hormone Decline

  • Early Menopause (pure or surgical)

  • Amenorrhea / Irregular Menstrual Cycles

Dietary & Consuming Habits Elements

Life-style Elements

Illness-Associated Elements

  • Endocrine & Hormonal Issues (e.g., hyperthyroidism, Cushing’s)

  • Gastrointestinal Ailments (e.g., celiac, Crohn’s)

  • Autoimmune Situations (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis)

  • Most cancers

  • HIV/AIDS

  • Anorexia Nervosa

  • Vertebral Abnormalities (e.g., scoliosis, unexplained peak loss)

Remedy-Associated Elements

  • Glucocorticoids / ACTH

  • Antiepileptic Medication

  • Most cancers Hormonal Therapies

  • Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)

  • SSRIs (Antidepressants)

  • Thiazolidinediones (for Sort 2 Diabetes)

Along with this record, on-line instruments such because the Worldwide Osteoporosis Basis Threat Test, FRAX Fracture Threat Evaluation Device, and Garvan Fracture Threat Calculator can assist estimate your osteoporosis and fracture dangers.

Can I Get a DEXA Scan if I Don’t Have Any Threat Elements?

Sure—you may nonetheless select to get one. Out-of-pocket prices sometimes vary from $100–$250, and you’ll typically use HSA/FSA funds. Whereas it’s an upfront expense, take into account it an funding in prevention.

A baseline scan offers you data. And data offers you energy.

You’ll want to name forward—not all imaging facilities supply self-pay DEXA scans with no referral.

What Do My DEXA Outcomes Imply?

DEXA scan outcomes are sometimes reported as T-scores and Z-scores.

  • The T-score compares your bone mineral density (BMD) to that of a wholesome 30-year-old grownup of the identical organic intercourse (thought of peak bone mass).
  • The Z-score compares your BMD to the typical of individuals your age and intercourse.

Osteoporosis is recognized utilizing the T-score. A decrease (extra unfavorable) rating signifies better bone loss:

Word: Z-scores could also be extra helpful for figuring out secondary causes of bone loss in youthful ladies and premenopausal populations.

  • A T-score between -1.0 and -2.5 signifies low bone mass (osteopenia).
  • A T-score of -2.5 or decrease signifies osteoporosis.

Every T-score level roughly correlates with a share of bone loss. For instance:

  • A T-score of -1.0 displays about 10% bone loss
  • A T-score of -2.5 displays roughly 25% bone loss

The Backside Line

Given the wide selection of threat components, most ladies are eligible—and clever—to get an early DEXA scan. Don’t assume your bones are wholesome simply since you really feel wholesome.

Speak along with your physician about your private threat profile and ask for a prescription to get a baseline scan. Out of your mid-30s on, bone loss is occurring whether or not you see it or not.

The excellent news? You may gradual it down and even construct bone by partaking in confirmed, proactive methods like progressive power coaching and influence coaching. And since peak bone mass is generally achieved by early maturity, we additionally must encourage the subsequent technology—our youngsters and youths—to interact in bone-building actions now, so that they’ll have a stronger basis for many years to return.

Hold lifting, leaping, and looking for sturdy bones at all ages. —Karin

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