DEXA Scan

A low-dose X-ray scan of the hips and spine measuring bone mineral density and generating a T-score for osteoporosis risk assessment. The DEXA scan provides precise bone density data that is the clinical gold standard for diagnosing osteopenia and osteoporosis. Available as an add-on to any Ahead Health package or as a standalone service at Radiologie Hirslanden Zurich.

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry is the internationally recognised gold standard for measuring bone mineral density, and Ahead Health offers it as a quick add-on to any screening package. The scan takes approximately 15 minutes and uses a very low dose of radiation, significantly less than a standard chest X-ray, to measure bone density at the hip and lumbar spine, the two sites most vulnerable to osteoporotic fractures. The primary output is a T-score that compares your bone density to that of a healthy 30-year-old adult. A T-score above minus 1.0 is considered normal, between minus 1.0 and minus 2.5 indicates osteopenia (reduced bone density), and below minus 2.5 indicates osteoporosis. This metric is straightforward and actionable: clients with low scores can begin targeted interventions including resistance training, calcium and vitamin D optimisation, and in some cases pharmaceutical treatment, before a fracture occurs. Preparation is minimal: avoid calcium supplements for 24 hours before the scan and wear loose clothing without metal fasteners. The scan is performed at Radiologie Hirslanden Zurich on the same visit as MRI for clients booking combined packages. Results are integrated into the overall Ahead Health report, providing bone health context alongside body composition and imaging data.