Who can use it? of DEXA scan

Home

Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List

| A |

| B |

| C |

| D |

| E |

| F |

| G |

| H |

| I |

| J |

| K |

| L |

| M |

| N |

| O |

| P |

| Q |

| R |

| S |

| T |

| U |

| V |

| W |

| X |

| Y |

This scan is a safe procedure but because DEXA scanners are relatively costly, they are not freely available throughout the country, so high-risk groups are prioritised for scans.

The groups most likely to require a DEXA scan include:

Women of menopausal age who smoke or drink heavily, have a history in their family of hip fractures, or a body mass index (BMI) of less than 21;
Those who take oral steroids or corticosteroids for a long period (these medicines can contribute to weakening bones);
Older women who have had bad fractures;
Women who have early menopause or ovaries removed, under the age of 45;
Men with very high consumption of alcohol.

Pregnant women are advised against bone density testing. The scan may damage the unborn child, in the same way to ordinary X-rays.