DEXA Scan in North Vancouver, BC
Find out how much of your weight is body fat.
A DEXA scan is a body fat test that also measures your muscle and bone. You lie on an open table for about 6 minutes while the scanner passes over you, and your report is ready as soon as you sit up. It shows your body fat percentage, where your fat sits (including visceral fat around your organs), the lean muscle in each arm and leg, and your bone density. We go through every number with you before you leave our North Vancouver clinic.
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What a DEXA body fat scan measures
DEXA stands for dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and you'll sometimes see it written DXA. The scan sends two low-dose X-ray beams through your body and uses the difference between them to tell fat, lean tissue and bone apart. That's how it can split your weight into the parts it's made of.
Your report shows your total body fat percentage and fat mass, and how that fat is spread across your arms, legs and trunk. It measures visceral fat, the fat stored deep in your belly around your organs, separately from the fat just under your skin. It shows the lean muscle in each arm and leg, so a difference between your left and right side shows up, and it measures the mineral density of your bones.
A scale gives you one number. Your DEXA report shows what that number is made of.
Who books a body composition scan
Here's what the scan shows for three different goals.
Training and sport
If you train, the scan shows how much muscle you carry and where. Because each arm and leg is measured on its own, you can see a difference between sides, and a repeat scan a few months later lets you compare.
Losing weight
When you lose weight, some of it can come from muscle. A DEXA scan shows how much of the change was body fat and how much was lean muscle, which a scale or a BMI can't tell you.
A baseline for health optimization
Many people book a DEXA scan before hormone optimization or a new training program. Body composition can change in midlife even when your weight stays the same, and the report shows where. Some people pair it with VO2 max testing, which measures your fitness. A DEXA scan doesn't replace your own doctor's care.
How does a DEXA scan work?
You lie on your back on a padded, open table. There's no tunnel and nothing closes around you. The scanner arm passes slowly over you from head to toe a few times, which takes about 6 minutes. It doesn't hurt, and the radiation dose is very low, much lower than a standard chest X-ray.
Your report is ready as soon as the scan ends. We sit down with you and go through it, number by number, so you know what each one means. It becomes your baseline, so the next scan shows what has changed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a DEXA scan for body fat?
It's a low-dose X-ray scan that measures how much of your body is fat, lean muscle and bone. You lie still on an open table for about 6 minutes, and your report shows your fat percentage, visceral fat, the muscle in each arm and leg, and your bone density.
How accurate is a DEXA scan for body fat?
A DEXA scan measures body fat with clinical precision, and it measures each region of your body separately. Food, drinks and a recent workout can shift the numbers a little, so we ask you to prepare the same way before every scan. That keeps your scans easy to compare.
What does a DEXA scan measure?
Body fat, lean muscle and bone density. Your report shows your total fat percentage, how fat and muscle are spread across your arms, legs and trunk, and your visceral fat, the fat stored deep around your organs.
How much does a DEXA scan cost?
Call us at 604-733-1669 or send the form below, and our team will tell you the current price.
Where can I get a DEXA scan in Vancouver?
At our North Vancouver clinic. DEXA scans at 8 West are offered in North Vancouver only. Call 604-733-1669 or send the form below, and our team will find you a time.
Who can get a DEXA scan?
Most adults can. People book one to track their training, to see what's changing as they lose weight, or as a baseline for health optimization. It isn't recommended during pregnancy. If you've recently had a scan with contrast dye or a nuclear medicine test, wait at least 48 hours before your DEXA scan.
How often should I get a DEXA scan?
It depends on what you're tracking. Every 3 months suits active fat loss or muscle gain, every 6 months suits general health and fitness, and once a year is enough to keep an eye on things. We'll suggest timing that fits your goals.
Are DEXA scans safe?
Yes. A DEXA scan uses a very low dose of radiation, much lower than a standard chest X-ray, and it's considered safe to repeat. If you have any concerns, talk to us before you book.
How do I prepare for a DEXA scan?
Skip exercise before your appointment. Don't eat for about two hours beforehand, and avoid drinking anything before your scan. Wear comfortable workout clothes without large metal parts (small zippers and buttons are fine). We'll ask you to take off jewellery and belts before the scan, and we go through your results with you right after.
Our Team
Some of the team you'll meet at our North Vancouver clinic.
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Tell us what you're interested in, and a member of our team will call you for a complimentary, friendly conversation. We'll answer your questions and help you figure out your next step, with no commitment.
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