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DXA is the gold standard for measuring bone density, body composition, and fracture risk. At Vitality, we do it right the first time: expert interpretation, consistent technique, and a complete picture.
Your DXA is not just a number. It is the foundation of your bone health strategy. How the scan is performed, what is measured, and how the results are interpreted directly determines how useful the information actually is. At Vitality, we take all three seriously.
DXA (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) is the gold standard for measuring bone mineral density. It is a quick, painless, non-invasive scan that uses very low levels of X-ray energy to determine how dense your bones are and how your body is composed.
Results are reported as a T-score, which compares your bone density to that of a healthy 30-year-old:
Most DXA scans performed in standard clinical settings are limited by insurance rules, not by what is actually best for your health. At Vitality, your scan is designed to give you the most complete picture available:
| Measurement | What It Tells You |
|---|---|
| Spine DXA | Central bone density and treatment response monitoring |
| Hip DXA | The gold standard for fracture risk assessment at the most critical site |
| Forearm DXA | Important in hyperparathyroidism, prior wrist fracture, or when hip/spine data are limited |
| Trabecular Bone Score (TBS) | Evaluates bone quality and internal architecture, not just density |
| Vertebral Fracture Assessment (VFA) | Detects silent spinal fractures that are often missed entirely |
| Body Composition Analysis | Fat mass, lean muscle mass, visceral fat, and regional distribution |
DXA is operator-dependent. How the scan is performed and how the results are interpreted directly affects accuracy. This matters enormously when tracking bone density over time.
DXA machines are not interchangeable. A scan performed on one machine cannot be directly compared to a scan done on a different machine. Small technical differences can appear as bone loss or gain when nothing has actually changed, leading to treatment decisions based on measurement artifact rather than true biology.
Because we make important, sometimes irreversible treatment decisions based on these measurements, having your DXA performed on the same machine, by the same trained technologist, with expert physician oversight is essential. That is why we strongly recommend establishing your baseline DXA with us and continuing here for all future comparisons.
Bone density alone does not tell the complete story of fracture risk. Two people can have identical T-scores but very different bone quality, and very different fracture risk as a result.
Trabecular Bone Score (TBS) is an advanced measure derived from your spine DXA that evaluates bone quality and microarchitecture. Think of it this way:
Conditions that can impair bone quality even when density appears normal include: diabetes, chronic steroid use, inflammatory disease, hormonal disorders, prior fractures, and certain medications. In these patients, TBS often reveals higher fracture risk that would otherwise be missed entirely.
Establishing a high-quality baseline at Vitality means every future scan is meaningful, not just a number on a different machine.
Book Your ScanChoose the scan that fits your goals. All options include a detailed results report. Add a provider review to walk through your results and build a personalized next steps plan.
One-on-one review with a Vitality provider to interpret your results, answer your questions, and outline personalized next steps based on your findings.
+$150
No. Vitality DXA scans are available through our direct-access model. You can order your scan without a referral. If you need documentation for your outside physician, we can provide a copy of your results report.
No special preparation is required. Wear comfortable clothing without metal hardware (avoid underwire bras, belts, or jeans with metal rivets if possible). Do not take calcium supplements within 24 hours of your scan. Eat and drink normally.
Our DXA includes measurements that are often skipped in insurance-limited settings: Trabecular Bone Score, Vertebral Fracture Assessment, and full body composition analysis. Every scan is reviewed by a physician with subspecialty expertise in bone health, not just a radiologist reading from a distance. You receive a full results review, not just a printout.
Results are reviewed with you at the time of your visit if you add the provider results review. If you select the scan only, your detailed results report is provided digitally following your appointment.
DXA results are machine-specific. Comparing a scan from one machine to a scan from a different machine introduces significant measurement uncertainty. Small apparent changes can represent machine differences rather than true bone changes. For meaningful serial monitoring, your baseline and all follow-up scans should be performed on the same machine, using the same technique.
Body composition DXA provides a detailed breakdown of fat mass, lean muscle mass, visceral fat, and regional distribution throughout your body. This data is clinically meaningful for monitoring the effects of exercise, nutrition, or medication on your body composition over time, far more precise than weight alone.
Getting your DXA done correctly the first time means every future scan is meaningful. This is what informed bone health care looks like.
Book Your DXA Scan