Dexa Scan?????

Ok, I have never heard of this test (dexa scan) so I ask what it was and they are like you have not had one!  So here I am asking am I nuts for not knowing what it is or for not having one?  Have you had one or even heard of this?  I guess it's a test to check your bone density.  Information please?

I had one recently to test my bone density. You lie on a table and they scan your hips, spine and sometimes the wrist. You don't have to drink anything or get injected, it's just to see if your bone density is normal or diminished. It will show if there is any osteoporosis or osteopenia.

I had one about 7 years ago. I never even got any results. I figured it was a baseline for the future. I am going to request one when I see my pcp next week and see if there have been any changes in the last 7 years.

As well as measuring bone density, it can also measure body fat.  

Not all DEXA scans measure body fat.  That actually has a  slightly different name, can't remember what it is and many imaging places don't have the machine to do the body fat part.  I know none of the places in my area do that test, they only do the spine, hip and if requested the wrist. When I asked my Endocrinologist about it, she said the body fat part really isn't very accurate and doesn't order it on anyone.

I had one last year, and plan on nagging my gyny for another this year to check changes. Easy - took about 5 minutes, didn't even need to put on a robe.

I had one last year too for the first time.  I think it was one of those tests the insurance would cover only once every so many years?

I didn't know it could also test body fat - that's interesting...

My weight loss surgeon has a machine in his office, and a iDXA scan is part of the pre-op process.  It is so cool, it shows fat, bone, muscle and gives your weight of each.  It also prints out a multi-colored image of your body showing bone, muscle, fat.  Guess what, my bones weigh about 6 pounds, and that's normal.  It even breaks it down as to how much an arm weighs or your right side in total.  My insurance didn't cover it, I paid $75 out of pocket for the scan, but it is worth it.  I'm going to get another scan when I'm at goal.  Just want to see my real body fat percentage (started at 53%) does.  Also knowing my body fat % was valuable in knowing how accurate my body fat scale is at home.  It's right on the money.  Some days I don't see the scale weight declining, but my body fat % is.  What they say about exercise is true, my muscle is growing, but the scale weight stays stuck for several days.