Happy WELLNESS WEDNESDAY, friends!
Today’s post is short, sweet and basically a PSA.
If you’ve been following along over the last year or so then you probably have read one of the wellness books or listened to one of the wellness podcast episodes that I’ve recommended which means, you’ve probably heard one of the many experts I enjoy mention DEXA Scans.
What are they? They are low dose x-rays that measure body fat percentage, lean tissue, bone density, etc.
Over the last two-ish years, it feels like every expert I turn to recommends them (or a similar type of scan). I have had this on my to do list for over a year, but finally, I decided enough was enough. I went online, found a scan near me and this last Saturday, I did it 🙂 .
You guys, it was SO easy! I’m sharing this today because I am pretty positive there are some of you out there who have heard about DEXA Scans/considered them too, but maybe like me, you just didn’t know anyone who had done one before/had questions/didn’t know where to start, so you have been putting it off. I want to be that friend who says, I did it, and it was easy, and if you have questions, please ask.
In a nutshell, here is what I did/random details…
1: First, I literally went to Google and searched Dexa Scans in McKinney, TX. I found a company, read the reviews, looked at their website and made an appointment.
2: My scan was $60.
3: I personally found this company…
…and this is who I used. They have locations all over the country. I snapped this pic the morning I arrived for my scan. You make an appointment and their DEXA scan arrives in a van, and the technician just does it right there in the parking lot. It’s a mobile DEXA Scan company.
4: There weren’t any restrictions prior to the scan (you don’t have to fast, etc). They just recommended showing up in athleticwear…
…which I did! You leave your clothes on during the scan. You only remove shoes and any removable jewelry (I was able to keep all of my permanent jewelry on).
5: The scan itself took about 6 minutes. I lied down on the table, and it started. The scan is over your head but you are NOT in any way “enclosed”. It just looks like this piece of plastic that starts scanning at the top of your head and then scans (from above) all the way down to your feet and then back up again. While I was lying there, I could talk to the tech, move just a little, breathe normally…it was super easy.
6: I was in and out of my appointment in under 10 minutes.
7: By the time I arrived back home (all of six minutes later), the results were already in my inbox. The results are VERY comprehensive. There is so much specific information about my entire body down to individual limbs (like which arm is stronger, has more lean muscle, has more fat, has better bone density, etc). I geeked-out so much on all of this info. I LOVE learning about health and wellness!
Now that I’ve had one, I am going to use this as my baseline and try to do this annually. Of course, I’m looking to increase my muscle and improve my bone density as I get older, and I’m consciously making an effort to do both (through diet, exercise, sleep and supplementation), so now that I have this baseline, I’m excited to see what the results say next year when I get my scan.
Anyway, this is my DEXA Scan PSA 🙂 .
Just like with my bloodwork, now that I have a much better understanding about the information, it makes me excited to go back each time and see how I’m improving/what I need to work on/how my efforts are actually affecting my body.
If you have been considering it, I had wonderful results! If you have any questions, please ask, and I’ll see if I can answer them.
Today, I am also sharing SHAY’S WAYS FOR A HAPPIER DAY too! I hope you stop by and check it out.
I’ll see you tomorrow. xx
Heather says
I have done a scan every year at the same time for the last three years and it has been super helpful in my health journey where I was wanting to make sure I was losing fat weight but gaining muscle. It also helped me when I first did it to see how high my risks were from belly fat. It has been really cool to see the improvements I have made over the last 3 scans. I highly recommend doing them! I live in Europe so it is free as part of my healthcare so unfortunately I don’t have a good place in the US that I can share to do it.
Elspeth Mizner says
I’ve heard about DEXA scans too! Glad you had a positive experience! Thanks for sharing!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Sara says
Look up echo light scans as an alternative! Used in Europe and making its way and popularity to the US. Lots of fascinating research out there regarding both options.
Mix and Match Mama says
Doing that right now!!
Kristen says
Thanks for the info! I just looked it up and my primary care office offers this scan , scheduling it asap!
Jenny says
I hope it’s ok to ask but what is an example of “permanent jewelry”? At first I thought piercings but aren’t those removable?
Thank you for this post. I’d never heard about DEXA scans before.
Mix and Match Mama says
Of course! Yes! Most of my earrings are permanent (meaning I would have to go to the piercing parlor to get them removed), and then I have two permanent bracelets. Two years ago, when I went to Nashville with my besties, we got bracelets sawdered on, so I would have had to have had Andrew use some sort of heavy duty tool to cut them off.
Kacey says
This is super cool!
Wendy Chandler says
Thank you for talking about this Shay. I just turned 50 and when I asked my doc she said I didn’t need one. But I disagree – such important info. I’m going to track one down. Great inspo.
Alyssa says
Have you looked into Prenuvo? It’s in Irving and is is much more thorough as far as detecting cancer and other abnormalities (including arthritis, bone issues, etc.). It’s an MRI without contrast, so there’s no radiation. Another great scan is breast thermography.
Mix and Match Mama says
I have looked into those more detailed scans that can show all sort of abnormalities (tumors, heart disease, brain issues, etc). This is also on my “to do” list!
A says
This is so helpful! Thank you, thank you!!! I know I need this, but didn’t know where to begin.
Anne says
Thank you for sharing this information! I think that the standard recommended age (after 65 yo) for starting to get Dexa scans is way too late! By that age, a woman’s bone density has been declining for decades. Plus, she’s in menopause and doesn’t have the same levels of hormones to help build/maintain bone density. Why not establish a baseline at an earlier age, when it’s easier to course correct (if needed) and to educate a woman. As you noted, it’s quite affordable.
One thing to add – For my Dexa scan a couple of months ago, I was advised to not wear Lululemon. Metallic fibers in some of their clothing has heated up in Dexa scans and MRI’s, causing burns.
Christine says
I get Life Line Screenings for cardiovascular disease and stroke risk along with liver function, osteoporosis risk, etc.
Stephanie says
If you are in your 50’s insurance covers most DEXA scans because they are used for bone density/osteoporosis. Walking daily can greatly improve bone density ! Also anyone that has had a hysterectomy and been on HRT for a long time should definitely have one done. ( I had a hysterectomy when I was 33 and I’m 59 now so it was definitely a good idea !). Love Wellness Wednesdays!
Tracy says
Sharing that if there is Nutrishop or something similar to you where you can buy protein and supplements they offer inbody scans that give you almost all of the same information you mention above and it’s free. If they do charge I think it’s a minimal charge.
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank YOU!
Molly b says
One weird thing about DEXA scans – there is significant variability between different machines in the bone density reading, so we generally try to have patients continue to do their scans on the same machine year after year if possible…and to not get freaked out about small changes year to year. (— I’m a primary care doctor.)
Mix and Match Mama says
Yes, yes! I have heard that too.
Deb says
Thank you so much for this information. I have had 3 Dexa Scans, annually, over the past 3 years at the suggestion of my primary care and GYN physicians to ensure healthy bone density. However, neither they nor the Imaging provider mentioned they could measure body fat or lean tissue, or which arm, leg was stronger, etc. They have only measured hips and spine. You have given me very good information to ask my doctors, because I did not realize I was missing out, and would love to have this information as well. Thank you!
Leslie S says
Yes! I was going to comment the same. My primary dr only gave me bone density info. And honestly it was “you don’t have osteoporosis or osteopenia- like no other info. But I didn’t know enough to ask any additional questions! I think I will look up and see if I can find one that provides more comprehensive information.
Dana P says
So interesting! I actually thought I had had some DEXA scans, but now I’m confused. I went through my doctors and had a bone scan, maybe it’s not the same thing though?
My PSA is that if you’ve had multiple pregnancies, it’s a good idea to have your bone density checked. I had the flu at age 34 and cracked a rib from coughing (!), which prompted me to look into it a bit. I found out that low vitamin d plus multiple pregnancies (that give our vitamin d to baby) can lead to low bone density and sure enough, I had osteopenia, the precursor to osteoporosis. Because I found that out years ago, I have intentionally worked on my bones and it’s almost gone at this point. But now I tell everyone-get your bones checked! I didn’t know that you could do muscle and other things though, too?
Also, I got the Outlive audiobook and am loving it!!
Mix and Match Mama says
Yay! I am so happy you’re listening to Outlive! Does Dr. Attia read it? It is a long book to read out loud!
Cathy M says
Would you mind sharing what steps you have taken to improve your bone density? Just got diagnosed with osteopenia. Thank you!!
Becky says
About 6 years ago I was diagnosed with 2 different autoimmune diseases. Since then I have had 3 DEXA scans, as my doctor reccomends them every 2 years. I started taking daily Vitamin D after my diagnosis. It has been encouraging to see that my bone density has improved over the years!