Best DEXA Scans in 2026

DEXA has a 1-2% margin of error for body fat percentage, making it the gold standard for non-invasive body composition testing. By comparison, bioelectrical impedance scales have 3-5% error margins that vary with hydration. DEXA also provides regional data showing fat and muscle distribution across arms, legs, and trunk, which no scale can measure.

A typical DEXA scan delivers about 0.4 millisieverts (mSv) of radiation, roughly equivalent to a few hours of background radiation or a cross-country flight. For context, a chest X-ray delivers 0.1 mSv and a CT scan delivers 7-10 mSv. At this dose, getting scanned quarterly poses negligible health risk for most people.

Arrive hydrated but avoid eating a large meal within 2 hours of your scan, as food in your digestive tract can slightly affect readings. Wear athletic clothing without metal zippers or underwire. Remove jewelry and watches. For consistent tracking, try to scan at the same time of day under similar conditions each time.

Yes, DEXA measures bone mineral density (BMD) and is the standard diagnostic tool for osteoporosis. Your report will show T-scores comparing your bone density to healthy young adults. Scores above -1.0 are normal, -1.0 to -2.5 indicate osteopenia (low bone mass), and below -2.5 indicates osteoporosis. Many providers focus on body composition, so confirm bone density is included if that's your goal.

For body composition tracking, every 8-12 weeks provides meaningful data without excessive cost. More frequent scanning rarely shows statistically significant changes. For bone density monitoring, annual scans are typical unless you're being treated for osteoporosis, in which case your doctor may recommend every 6 months to track treatment response.