At Life Medical Imaging, we believe good health starts with understanding your body. A DEXA body composition scan provides detailed insight into how your body is made up, helping you and your healthcare provider make informed decisions about your health, fitness and wellbeing.
Whether you are monitoring bone health, managing weight, or tracking changes over time, DEXA body composition offers a safe, accurate and low-dose way to better understand what’s happening inside your body.
What Is a DEXA Body Composition Scan?
DEXA (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) is a specialised imaging test that uses very low-dose X-rays to measure different components of your body, including:
- Bone mass and bone density
- Lean muscle mass
- Body fat percentage
- Fat distribution throughout the body
- Visceral (abdominal) fat levels
Unlike standard scales or BMI measurements, DEXA shows where fat and muscle are distributed, providing a much clearer picture of overall health.
Why DEXA Body Composition Is Different to the Scales
Body weight alone doesn’t tell the full story. Two people may weigh the same but have very different proportions of muscle, fat and bone.
A DEXA body composition scan can help:
- Identify changes in muscle mass
- Monitor body fat percentage over time
- Assess visceral fat, which is linked to metabolic health
- Track progress from lifestyle or exercise changes using objective data
This makes DEXA particularly useful for people focusing on long-term health, not just weight.
Who May Benefit from a DEXA Body Composition Scan?
DEXA body composition may be helpful if you are:
- Managing weight or metabolic health
- Monitoring muscle mass as you age
- Undertaking lifestyle or fitness changes
- Recovering from injury or illness
- Assessing body composition alongside bone health
- Tracking changes over time under medical guidance
Your GP or healthcare provider can advise whether this test is appropriate for you.
Is DEXA Safe?
Yes. DEXA uses very low levels of radiation, significantly lower than many other imaging tests.
At Life Medical Imaging:
- The scan is quick and non-invasive
- No injections or contrast are required
- You remain fully clothed (metal items removed)
- Radiation exposure is minimal
This makes DEXA suitable for monitoring over time when clinically appropriate.
What Happens During the Scan?
A DEXA body composition scan is simple and comfortable:
- You lie flat on the scanning table
- The scanner moves slowly over your body
- The scan usually takes 10–15 minutes
- There is no pain or discomfort
Results are sent directly to your referring doctor, who will discuss them with you and explain what they mean in the context of your overall health.
DEXA Body Composition at Life Medical Imaging
Patients choose Life Medical Imaging for DEXA body composition because we offer:
- Modern DEXA technology
- Low-dose imaging
- Convenient Central Coast locations
- Professional and experienced staff
- Clear reporting for your doctor
As a local, community-focused imaging provider, we aim to make advanced imaging accessible, comfortable and local.
Do I Need a Referral?
A referral from your GP or specialist is required for a DEXA body composition scan.
Our friendly reception team is happy to assist with questions about referrals, preparation and appointment availability.
Book Your DEXA Body Composition Scan
If you’ve been referred for a DEXA body composition scan or would like more information, our team is here to help. Call Life Medical Imaging on 4326 7000
Contact our friendly and experienced team today!