Bone Densitometry DEXA Scan in Kelowna

Bone densitometry is a safe, accurate, and painless way to measure bone density. DXA measures the bone density of a patient and compares it to the bone density of a young normal reference population.

Osteoporosis And Bone Fractures

Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease characterized by low bone mass, which in turn makes individuals more susceptible to fractures and broken bones.

Osteoporosis causes two million bone fractures every year. This devastating disease affects 4 out of 5 women, as well as many men. Fortunately, it can be detected and treated. A bone density test is the only test that can diagnose osteoporosis before a broken bone occurs.

Osteoporosis leads to more than 800,000 emergency room visits annually
1 in 2 women and 1 in 4 men age 50 and older will break a bone due to osteoporosis
By 2025, osteoporosis will likely be responsible for roughly 3 million fractures
A woman’s risk of hip fracture equals her combined risk of breast, uterine, and ovarian cancer

Importance of Bone Health

A DEXA scan is an imaging test that measures bone density (strength). The scan results can provide helpful details about your risk for osteoporosis (bone loss) and fractures (bone breaks). DXA can also measure your body composition, such as body fat and muscle mass.

Osteoporosis Diagnosis

A DXA scan can evaluate the bone density in the hip, spine or other bones to determine the risk of osteoporosis. It’s a way to measure bone loss as you age.

Future Risk Assessment

The DXA bone densitometry scan also assesses an individual’s risk for developing fractures. The risk of fracture is affected by age, body weight, history of prior fracture, family history of osteoporotic fractures and lifestyle issues such as cigarette smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.

Cardiovascular Health

The DEXA scan can be used to screen for calcium build-up in major blood vessels, known as abdominal aortic calcification (AAC). This build-up is a hardening of the abdomen’s largest artery. AAC is a marker of increased risk for cardiovascular events, especially in women, and can potentially be identified early using imaging tests such as a DXA scan.

Monitor Treatment Progress

It can also determine if bone density is improving, worsening, or staying the same following a previous diagnosis and treatment. DXA is also effective in tracking the effects of treatment for osteoporosis and other conditions that cause bone loss.

Bone Density Results

The DEXA scanner uses beams of very low-energy radiation to determine the density of the bone. The machine measures the amount of X-rays that pass through the bone from each beam.

This will vary depending on how thick the bone is. Based on the difference between the two beams, your doctor can measure your bone density. For the results of your scan, you’ll get a T score and a Z score.

T Score

The T-score is a measure of the number of standard deviations your bone density is from a young adult’s bone density. It basically compares your bone density to someone at peak bone health. Once you reach your peak bone mass around age 40, you begin to lose bone density each year. The T score is used to estimate your risk of developing a fracture and also to determine if treatment is required.

A score of -1 and above is considered normal
A score between -1.1 and -2.4 is classified as osteopenia (low bone mass)
A score of -2.5 and below is defined as osteoporosis (extremely low bone mass)

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Z Score

In technical terms, a Z-score is a measure of the number of standard deviations your bone density is from the average person of your age and gender. If this score is more than 2 standard deviations above or below average, it may indicate a need for further medical tests.

A Z-score is helpful in diagnosing secondary osteoporosis and is often used for children, young adults, women who are premenopausal, and men under age 50. The causes of secondary osteoporosis are potentially reversible. They may stem from one or more of the following:

Inflammatory, blood, or endocrine conditions
Low production of reproductive hormones
Malabsorption syndrome
Abnormal bone structure
And other chronic diseases

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Prevention With DXA Scan

Women are 4 times more likely to develop osteoporosis due to their lighter, thinner bones and longer life spans. Statistically being asian or caucasian also puts you at higher risk. Anyone at risk for osteoporosis should get a bone density scan.

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What To Ask Your Doctor About Bone Density Testing And Your Osteoporosis Risk

Knowing the right questions to discuss with your healthcare provider can be a daunting task. Here are some suggestions to inquire if a DXA scan is right for you:

Would any of the medical conditions I have contribute to bone loss?
Would any of the medicines I’m on contribute to bone loss?
How much Vitamin D and Calcium should I get each day?
Do my lifestyle choices contribute to bone loss? (nutrition, caffeine, alcohol)
Am I at risk for osteoporosis or fractures?
What physical activity can I do to prevent osteoporosis?
What can I do to decrease my chances of a fall?

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Am I Overweight?

Are you in the healthy range? Use this tool to calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI) now to know your risk for obesity-related diseases.

How Healthy Are My Bones?

Take the 1-minute quiz to determine your risk for developing osteoporosis.

DexaCan Plan Options

The DEXA scan is the gold standard procedure for body composition analysis. We offer multiple plans for you to choose from.

Body Composition Scan - $249

Visual image of precise location of bone, lean mass, and fat mass.
Body fat % compared to age group.
Precise mass measurements of specific areas of the body.
Calculations of total mass, fat mass, and lean mass.
Estimated amount of visceral fat (the type of fat around internal organs associated with medical disorders such as metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes.).
Body fat, fat mass and lean mass values over time.
Ideal for athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and body builders, as well as those seeking weight management.

*Patients will receive a copy of the scan report.

Advanced Body Composition Scan - $499

Visual image of precise location of bone, lean mass, and fat mass.
Body fat % compared to age group.
Precise mass measurements of specific areas of the body.
Calculations of total mass, fat mass, and lean mass.
Estimated amount of visceral fat (the type of fat around internal organs associated with medical disorders such as metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes.).
Body fat, fat mass and lean mass values over time.
Visual comparison of gradual changes in bone and mass.
Breast health screening based on BMI and body fat %.

A follow-up consultation with our physician is included with the Medical Body Composition Scan. Based on the results of the report, the doctor can provide recommendations for further testing, treatment, or referrals to specialists if necessary.

*Patients will receive a copy of the scan report.

Bone Density Scan - $499

Evaluation of bone density loss to determine the risk of osteoporosis.
Values are compared to others of the same age and gender (Z-scores) or healthy young adults at peak bone mass (T-scores).
Results help track bone health changes over time.

The Bone Density Scan includes a radiologist report and a consultation with our doctor to review the results. The physician can then provide recommendations or referrals based on the findings.

*Patients will receive a copy of the scan report.

Heart & Stroke Risk Assessment - $499

Screening to detect and identify individuals who are higher-risk for heart disease by assessing Abdominal Aortic Calcification (AAC).
Lateral DXA is non invasive, has low radiation exposure, and is relatively inexpensive compared with CT; a helpful screening tool for vascular calcification.
Measurements can help detect anomalies earlier.

This assessment includes a radiologist report and a consultation with our doctor to review the findings. In addition to recommendations and medical interventions, the physician may also provide advice on lifestyle modifications that can help manage or prevent medical conditions.

*Patients will receive a copy of the scan report.

DexaCan is more than your average medical clinic.

Who Should Get a DEXA Scan?

A DXA assessment is suitable for people on weight management programs, athletes in training as well as men and women at risk of osteoporosis and bone fracture.

It is also used for monitoring certain diseases such as Sarcopenia and Lipodystrophy and the effects of some medical therapies.

Why choose DexaCan for your private DEXA body scan?

Leading Expertise

Advanced body composition analysis delivered by our experienced practitioner

Rapid Access

Innovative Diagnostic Imaging

The best technology available for assessing obesity, cardiovascular, and other metabolic diseases.

Safety & Comfort

Quick 3-5 minute scan. No injections, non-invasive, painless with no patient preparation required.

FAQS

Why might I need a bone density test?

A bone density test is mainly done to look for osteoporosis (thin, weak bones) and osteopenia (decreased bone mass) so that these problems can be treated as soon as possible. Early treatment helps to prevent bone fractures.

The complications of broken bones related to osteoporosis are often severe, particularly in the elderly. The earlier osteoporosis can be diagnosed, the sooner treatment can be started to improve the condition and/or keep it from getting worse.

What is the difference between a DEXA scan and a bone scan?

Bone density tests differ from bone scans. Bone scans require an injection beforehand and are usually used to detect fractures, cancer, infections and other abnormalities in the bone.

How accurate are DEXA scans?

DEXA scans offer a high degree of precision and accuracy. Medical experts consider DEXA scans to be an accurate test for diagnosing osteoporosis.

Unlike x-ray machines, DEXA machines are checked daily for their ability to measure bone mineral accurately, and no two DXA machines are exactly alike. That is why your healthcare provider will insist that you have all of your DEXA tests done on the same machine.

What will a DEXA bone densitometry scan tell you?

The report presents your bone mineral density results in three ways:

Bone mass in grams per cm square.
T-score: a calculation made from the DEXA manufacturer comparing your bone mass to that of their healthy control group.
Z-score: a calculation made from the DEXA manufacturer comparing your bone mass to that of your peers.

Does a DEXA scan provide a snapshot of my health?

Yes, a DEXA scan will shed light on bone health and risk of osteoporosis, visceral fat and risk of chronic disease, muscle imbalances and risk of overcompensation and injury. It also compares your results to others in your demographic (height, weight, age, sex.)