DEXA Bone Mineral Density & Body Composition Scan

DEXA scanning at AsiaMedic measures bone mineral density for osteoporosis diagnosis and delivers a precise body composition analysis covering lean mass, fat mass, and visceral fat distribution — essential data for tracking biological age and musculoskeletal health.

Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) at AsiaMedic serves two distinct but complementary clinical purposes: bone mineral density (BMD) assessment for osteoporosis screening and fracture risk estimation, and body composition analysis for metabolic and longevity health tracking. The bone mineral density scan focuses on the lumbar spine and proximal femur — the two sites most clinically relevant to osteoporotic fracture risk. Results are expressed as a T-score (comparison to a young healthy adult reference population) and a Z-score (age-matched comparison). A T-score below -2.5 at either site confirms osteoporosis by WHO criteria, while a T-score between -1.0 and -2.5 indicates osteopenia (low bone mass) — a precursor to osteoporosis if risk factors are unaddressed. AsiaMedic recommends DEXA BMD scanning for women aged 40 and above with prior fractures, all individuals over 65, and those with family history, steroid use, or known nutritional deficiencies. The DEXA Body Composition Analysis, which forms part of the Longevity Screening Package, extends well beyond BMD to provide a full-body breakdown of fat mass, lean muscle mass, and bone mass by region (arms, legs, trunk, android, gynoid). The android-to-gynoid fat ratio and visceral adiposity index are particularly useful longevity biomarkers, as central fat accumulation is an independent predictor of cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance, and all-cause mortality — regardless of overall BMI. Skeletal muscle index (SMI), derived from appendicular lean mass, is used to screen for sarcopenia, the progressive loss of muscle mass that accelerates with ageing. The DEXA scan is fast, non-invasive, and exposes patients to a radiation dose lower than a transatlantic flight. It requires no special preparation and typically takes 10 to 20 minutes. Serial scans taken 12 to 24 months apart allow clinicians to track changes in bone density and body composition over time, providing an objective measure of the effectiveness of nutritional, exercise, or pharmacological interventions.