Ideally you will present for your DEXA scan in a fasted state (at least no food or drink for 2-3 hours prior to the scan). No exercise the morning of the scan.
DEXA used a very low dose X-ray and you will only be exposed to 1-4 µSv (microsieverts).
This is less radiation than you will experience on a flight from Sydney to Brisbane. For more detailed information regarding DEXA and radiation please click here.
The time of day will not make a difference to your scan results. Women will also not be affected by their cycle. If you do however wish to reduce your Biological Variability, have a read of the ‘How to I make my Scan as accurate as possible?’ tab below.
Biological variability is the natural variability due to physiologic differences among people over time. In order to increase the accuracy of your DEXA scan, it is best to try and reduce/control your biological variability as much as possible. This way you can compare apples with apples.
How do you do this?
If you undertake and standardise all the above, your scan will be more accurate.
One more important element to think about is for those on low carb diets. Low carb diets can effect glycogen storage in your muscles and liver. This will reflect in your DEXA results as a decrease in muscle mass due to the depletion of glycogen in your muscles. Our recommendation is to try and have your scan in the same dietary condition each time as well.
For maximum accuracy, please wear clothing without metal e.g. zippers or buckles. Ideally this means no bra under wires or zippers. Gym and exercise clothes are ideal! If you have metal implants or other metal devices that you cannot remove, don’t worry, The DEXA will work just fine, but you may have slightly higher bone density readings from the scanner interpreting the metal as bone.
DEXA uses a hydration constant of 73% in its calculations. This means that whenever an individual is scanned it sees them with a hydration status of 73%. Hydration status can range from 65-80% depending on the situation – dehydration to hyponatremia (too much water). When you get up in the morning after an overnight fast, voiding and no exercise (or post training) you will be less hydrated than 73% (where the DEXA sees you). As such, your total mass (weight) will be less on the scales compared to the DEXA. This is why it’s important not to compare scale weight with DEXA weight as hydration status may never be exactly the same. The argument for using the DEXA is that it sees you with the same hydration status every time you are scanned which is why it’s used in all international research work when measuring body composition (and changes over time following an intervention – diet and/or exercise).
MOBILE LABS: Body composition scans completed in one of our mobile laboratories will not be claimable through your private health fund.
SYDNEY/BRISBANE: You may be able to claim the consult portion of your extended DEXA scan consultation with your private health fund depending on your individual level of cover. Please check with your provider if you are covered for an ‘EP Consult’. As all appointments are booked and paid for online, we will issue you a health fund receipt after your appointment so you can lodge a claim with your fund.
Please note a $99 MeasureUp single scan contains no consult portion.
In most cases, you will not be able to claim through Medicare for a Body Composition scan. If you are having a Bone Mineral Density scan to assess your risk of Osteoporosis you may be eligible for a rebate and will need to discuss this with your doctor.
If there is a possibility that you are pregnant or you are pregnant, we will unfortunately not be able to complete a DEXA scan on you. As there have been no clinical studies into the effects of having a DEXA scan whilst pregnant, we cannot with 100% certainty say that there are no effects on an unborn baby and as such, we will not put anybody at risk.
Having a scan while breastfeeding will not have any adverse effects.
You do not require a referral for a Body Composition scan in NSW & QLD.
You do require a referral for a Body Composition scan in SA, TAS, VIC, ACT & WA.
In some cases, your doctor may also refer you as part of an Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) Plan.
Yes, we do. All payments are made online when you book your scan. We accept Visa, MasterCard and AMEX.
Sydney CBD Lab: There are two car parking stations close by.
Secure Park at 109 Pitt Street
Wilson Parking at 123 Pitt Street
Brisbane Newstead Lab: There one car park on site. If this is taken, the closest 2Hr free parking is 100m away at Gasworks Plaza Newstead (Woolworths). There is also parking on Doggett Street.
Sydney CBD Lab: Monday – Friday from 8:30am to 5:00pm
Brisbane Newstead Lab: Monday – Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm
If you wish to be scanned on the weekend, please check our Mobile Lab locations here
Our Total Body DEXA Scan can give you a good estimate of your total body bone mineral density however, the report cannot be used for diagnostic purposes. Should you require a bone density test that can be used for diagnostic purposes, you will be required to obtain a doctor’s referral and book a specific bone density scan of the lumbar spine and femoral neck with us.
No, our scan packs do not include a long consult. We always recommend that if you have not had a DEXA scan before to book the In-Depth DEXA Consult for your first appointment in order to get accustomed to all of the data contained within your DEXA report and how it can help you gain more information about your body. For any subsequent appointments you can then book a Single MeasureUp DEXA Scan or any of the scan packs if you wish to take advantage of the savings.
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