DXA Bone Density FIT

Bone Density FIT is measured using DXA (dual energy x-ray absorptiometry). For this test you lie down on an open “table” while a scanning arm passes over each region. Your legs will be positioned on a padded support or rotated slightly inward with your big toes touching and secured lightly with a strap. Bone Density FIT measures the bone mineral density of your lumbar spine and both femoral necks (hips) — the sites most closely associated with fracture risk and the sites used clinically to assess bone health. The actual scan takes about 5-7 minutes. The full appointment will be 30 minutes.

Bone Density FIT is excellent for tracking change over time. Bone responds to loading more slowly than muscle does, so repeat scans are spaced 12 months apart — which is why a follow-up scan is built into our Bone FIT program.

Interested in an exercise program built specifically for bone health? Check out our Bone FIT program HERE

About your results

Bone Density FIT is an assessment, not a medical diagnosis. Your results are reported as a T-score, which compares your bone density to that of a healthy young adult, and a Z-score, which compares you to adults of your own age, sex, body weight and ethnicity. An exercise professional will walk you through what your numbers mean and how exercise and nutrition affect bone. We do not diagnose osteopenia or osteoporosis and we cannot prescribe treatment. We will give you a copy of your full results and encourage you to share them with your physician, who can interpret them alongside your medical history. Because bone changes slowly and we limit scans to once per year, a repeat scan at the 12-month mark is the right interval for tracking progress.

Radiation exposure

Bone Density FIT uses a low dose of ionizing radiation. Because the spine and hip scans image denser tissue than a total body scan, the dose is higher than our Body Comp FIT scan. The scanner adjusts its settings based on your body size, and people with a larger body size receive a dose toward the higher end of the range.

For each site (lumbar spine, right femoral neck, and left femoral neck), radiation is between 37 µSv and 329 µSv, based on your body size. The maximum possible total exposure, if all three sites are scanned at the highest level, is 987 µSv — equivalent to 4 months of natural background exposure, 17 transcontinental flights, or 20 chest X-rays. This figure is a ceiling rather than a typical result; most clients receive considerably less.

Because a DXA bone density scan covers the lower spine, hips, and pelvic region, this scan cannot be performed during pregnancy. You will be asked about pregnancy status on the FIT intake form and again by your technician. Anyone answering yes or unsure will not be scanned.

Operating in compliance with UT Health Services, UT Environmental Health and Safety, and the Texas Department of State Health Services minimizes risks.

The maximum weight for the DXA machine is 450lbs. We scan clients who are 18-85 years old.

Scheduling & Pricing

To schedule an appointment, please call us at 512-471-0081, text us at 512-703-0780, or email us at fit@austin.utexas.edu.

Pricing

$75 or $50 with a Body Comp FIT
Pre-Pay Here or on-site with credit card, check or cash.

Proceeds may be used in general support of the College of Education.

Appointment Preparation

The Bone Density FIT test is a 30 minute appointment.

In preparation for your appointment:

Stop calcium supplements 24 hours before your scan, including multivitamins and antacids such as Tums. Continue all prescription medications as normal.
Tell us if you have had a barium study, CT with contrast, or nuclear medicine scan in the past two weeks. If so, we will need to reschedule.
Tell us if you have metal hardware in your spine or hips, or a history of hip or spine fracture, as this affects which sites we can scan.
Wear loose fitting, lightweight clothing. No metal.(zippers, underwire, metal buttons, belt buckles). We will ask you to remove jewelry and navel piercings before the scan.

Location & Parking

Testing takes place in Bellmont Hall Room 946, located at Darryl K. Royal Stadium. Parking is available. You will receive a Visitor’s Parking Permit from the FIT staff when you arrive for testing. Refer to Location & Parking for further information.