Can larger people have bone density tests?
To check a person’s bone density, experts recommend using a DXA machine. DXA stands for dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. A central DXA test of the hip and/or spine is the preferred method to diagnose osteoporosis. As your mother was told, most central DXA machines cannot measure bone density in people who weigh over 300 pounds, and some central DXA machines have a weight limit of 250 pounds. Although new central DXA machines have recently been introduced that measure BMD in people who weigh up to 400 pounds, they are not widely available yet. For people who cannot have a bone density test by a central DXA machine, there are several other ways to measure bone density. These are called peripheral bone density tests. These tests measure bone density in the extremities, including the heel, wrist, finger or forearm (between the wrist and elbow). A peripheral test can be used with a person who is too heavy for a central DXA test of the hip and/or spine. Some healthcare providers recommend h
