An X-ray that can tell tissue apart
A scale tells you how much you weigh. DEXA goes beneath the surface to show what your body is made of and where it sits. In a single scan, it measures fat, lean mass and bone, giving you a much more detailed picture of your body composition.
How it works
Two energies, one pass
DEXA stands for dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. It uses two very low-dose X-ray energies that pass through the body at the same time.
Bone, fat and lean tissue absorb these energies differently. By comparing those differences across the body, DEXA can estimate how much bone, fat and lean mass you have and where they are distributed.
Why that tells you more than weight
A scale adds everything together into one number. DEXA separates that weight into its different components and body regions.
That means people with the same weight can have very different amounts and distributions of fat, muscle and bone. It also allows you to track changes that may not show up on the scale.
What it does not do
DEXA is not a scan of your organs and it is not designed to detect cancer or other diseases. This can be done by MRI and other diagnostic imaging techniques.
DEXA provides measurements of body composition and bone mineral density. We help you understand those measurements in the context of your health, lifestyle and goals.
Your visit, from arrival to personalized plan
Your visit takes about 45 minutes. The scan itself takes only a few minutes. Most of our time is spent measuring, explaining your results and providing you with personalized recommendations.
- 1Arrive
Please come five to ten minutes early and take a seat in the lounge. There is coffee and tea. We come and get you when it is time.
- 2Scan
You lie comfortably on your back while the scanner passes over your body. The scan is non-invasive and painless: no injections, no contrast agents and nothing enclosed around you.
- 3Understand
Your results are available immediately. Together, we look at your visceral fat, muscle mass and bone health and explain what the numbers mean for you.
- 4Act
We put your results in context, identify where change may have the greatest impact, and translate this into practical, personalized next steps.
Because DEXA uses X-rays, every request is reviewed beforehand by a BIG-registered physician before your visit to confirm that the scan is appropriate for you.
How to prepare
A DEXA scan is quick, non-invasive and painless. There is very little you need to do to prepare.
For an accurate measurement, wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing or sportswear without any metal. In most cases, you can simply keep your clothes on during the scan.
What to wear
- A plain T-shirt or tank top
- Leggings, yoga pants, sweatpants or shorts
- Underwear without metal
- A sports bra without underwire or metal clasps
Please avoid
- Zippers, metal buttons, snaps, hooks or rivets
- Belts and metal buckles
- Underwire bras
- Jewellery, watches and necklaces
- Clothing with metallic thread or foil prints
Metal can interfere with the scan. If something you are wearing contains metal, we may ask you to remove or change that item before we start. A private changing area is available.
Eating and drinking
Eat and drink normally before your appointment (there is no need to fast). Try to arrive normally hydrated and avoid a large meal or drinking a large amount of fluid in the few hours before your scan.
For follow-up scans, try to come under similar conditions each time so your measurements are as comparable as possible.
Take the next step towards better health
Understand what is happening beneath the surface and discover where you can make the greatest impact. With precise DEXA measurements and personalized expert guidance, we help you turn insights into meaningful action. Start by answering a few short questions to confirm whether a scan is appropriate for you.
- Launch offer €199, until 31 December, then €299.all-in
- No referral needed