Bone Mineral Density (BMD) scanning, also called dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) or bone densitometry, is an enhanced form of x-ray technology that is used to measure bone density. At our centre we have the most advanced Narrow Angle Fan Beam Technology based DEXA which takes just 6 minutes in doing Whole Body BMD.
Conventional DEXA which uses the older pencil beam technology is installed at most of the hospitals and diagnostic centres in India. Those machines take more than 45 minutes for the whole body scanning thereby giving 6 times more radiation dose to the patient. The Bone Mineral Density machine at our centres comes with an exclusive feature of Body Mass Fat Analysis.
DEXA is today's established standard for measuring bone mineral density (BMD). DEXA is most often used to diagnose osteoporosis, a condition that often affects women after menopause but may also be found in men. Osteoporosis involves a gradual loss of calcium, as well as structural changes, causing the bones to become thinner, more fragile and more prone to fracture. A recent study done in UK suggested that 90% Indians are deficient in Vitamin-D. Now every patient is getting tested for Vitamin-D and most of the people are found to have low Vitamin-D Levels. All such patients need to undergo Serum Calcium Testing and also Bone Mineral Density. The Vitamin-D supplements should be taken only after the test results of Vitamin-D, Calcium and BMD confirm low bone mineral density
At our centres we routinely perform the following tests on the DEXA Machine
Single Site DEXA - Hip, Femur or Spine
Any Two Sites
Whole Body DEXA Scan
Whole Body Fat Composition Analysis
Who Should Get This Test Done
Post Menopausal Women
Men above the age of 70 years
Those having pain in joints, spine, hip
Patients having low vitamin D or low calcium levels
Patients who are getting treated for osteoporosis or osteoarthritis
Those who have suffered a stress fracture
Obese people should get Body Fat Analysis
The Cost of Dexa Scan is normally in the range of Rs. 2500-4000 for Single Site, Two Sites and Whole Body Dexa Scan. If you are looking to get Whole Body Dexa Scan and Whole Body Fat Analysis then the cost would be in the range of Rs. 5500-6500
Your bone density test results are reported using T-scores. A T-score shows how much your bone density is higher or lower than the bone density of a healthy 30-year old adult. A healthcare provider looks at the lowest T-score to diagnosis osteoporosis.
What Your T-score Means. According to the World Health Organization (WHO):
A T-score of -1.0 or above is normal bone density. Examples are 0.9, 0 and -0.9.
A T-score between -1.0 and -2.5 means you have low bone density or osteopenia. Examples are T-scores of -1.1, -1.6 and -2.4. A T-score of -2.5 or below is a diagnosis of osteoporosis. Examples are T-scores of -2.6, -3.3 and -3.9.
The lower a person’s T-score, the lower the bone density. A T-score of -1.0 is lower than a T-score of 0.5 and a T-score of -3.5 is lower than a T-score of -3.0.
If you have a peripheral bone density test, you should follow up with your healthcare provider. Discuss whether you need additional testing, such as a central DXA test of the hip and/or spine. The results of a peripheral test cannot be compared with the results of a central DXA.
People of Larger Size. Most central DXA machines cannot measure bone density in the hip and spine of patients who weigh more than 100 kgs. The latest machines can measure patients upto 150 kgs
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