What is a DXA scan like?
A certified radiology technologist at Washington Radiology will conduct the exam. You will be asked to lie still on the scan table but you will be able to breathe normally throughout the procedure. A scanner (using a dual energy beam of very low dose x-rays) will pass over the lower spine/hip area. You will not feel anything during the exam. DXA technology works by measuring the amount of x-rays that are absorbed by the bones in your body. The two x-ray energies allow the machine to differentiate between bone and soft tissue, giving a very accurate estimation of bone density. The radiologist will produce a report for your physician based on the bone density measurements and your medical history.
