For most individuals, although, “if outcomes are robust, perhaps you don’t want one other scan for 5 years,” says Wagner. “In the event that they’re decrease, way of life interventions will help, and you might need to recheck in a yr.”
Radiation publicity is negligible, lower than a chest x-ray. However the psychological affect will be extra sophisticated. For some, the numbers inspire: “After I did a physique composition check at 36, I had far more physique fats than I anticipated,” Cheema says. “That pushed me to vary my exercises and consuming patterns in ways in which improved my well being—one thing BMI alone wouldn’t have prompted.”
For others, particularly these with histories of disordered consuming or physique picture points, it may be destabilizing and overwhelming. Numbers can develop into one other metric to obsess over reasonably than a device for well being. “It may be overwhelming when you don’t have a clinician to interpret the outcomes,” Gidwani says. “That’s why I evaluation all of my sufferers’ scans with them.”
Cheema agrees: “An excessive amount of element with out steerage dangers overwhelming individuals with data that isn’t clinically actionable.”
“I don’t assume DEXA provides an excessive amount of data in comparison with, say, a whole-body MRI, which might reveal incidental findings that may trigger nervousness and result in pointless interventions,” says Gidwani. “Its knowledge factors are actionable: lower physique fats, cut back visceral fats, improve muscle.”
Consultants emphasize that actionability is essential. “Crucial metrics are visceral adipose tissue and whole physique fats proportion, particularly when tracked over time,” Cheema says. “However DEXA additionally breaks issues down by arms, legs, trunk, and so on. That may veer into aesthetics reasonably than well being.
Ought to You Get One?
In the event you’re 65 or older, or in danger for osteoporosis, your physician could already advocate a DEXA scan for bone well being. For girls in perimenopause, when bone density can drop by as a lot as 20 p.c, an early baseline scan may flag dangers years earlier than they develop into pressing.
DEXA additionally detects sarcopenic weight problems, the place muscle loss happens alongside excessive physique fats. “Somebody could look regular weight on a scale, however a DEXA can reveal poor muscle-to-fat steadiness,” Gidwani says.
Past these teams, the use case narrows. Athletes, bodybuilders, and folks on GLP-1 medicines could discover the info genuinely helpful. For usually wholesome adults who train, eat decently, and examine in with a physician, many clinicians are detached.
“For a wholesome particular person, I wouldn’t universally advocate it,” Cheema says. “Life-style adjustments and primary care could matter greater than getting a DEXA.” There are alternate options—bioimpedance scales, Bod Pods, and AI-enabled wearables—however none are as correct as DEXA. For now, it stays probably the most exact, if costly, device out there.
Last Takeaways
My DEXA outcomes have been considerably humbling. Regardless of near-daily exercises and an honest eating regimen, the scan flagged extra physique fats than I anticipated and the beginnings of osteopenia in my backbone. The intense facet was an “wonderful” visceral fats rating, one thing I’ll be bragging about indefinitely.
Catching early bone loss feels actionable; I can tweak my exercises to prioritize power and mobility. However the physique fats percentages have lived in my mind rent-free ever since, with out providing a lot in return. I don’t plan to shell out a couple of hundred {dollars} for one more scan anytime quickly, so I’ll by no means know if my changes are literally working.
That’s the paradox of DEXA. For these with medical dangers, it may be invaluable. For athletes chasing marginal positive aspects, it’s one other knob to show. However for the remainder of us, it’s a reminder that knowledge is just as helpful as what you’re keen or capable of do with it. Ultimately, DEXA doesn’t promise longevity a lot because it guarantees numbers, and numbers alone don’t add years to your life.
Meet the Consultants
- Jennifer Wagner, MD, MS, chief well being and efficiency officer, Canyon Ranch in Tucson, Arizona.
- Josh Cheema, MD, medical director of Northwestern Drugs Human Longevity Clinic in Chicago, Illinois.
- Pooja Gidwani, MD, MBA, board-certified doctor in inside drugs and weight problems drugs in Los Angeles, California.