Dexa Scan
Quick & highly accurate measurements of bone density, body fat, and lean muscle mass.
This body composition scanning allows for deeper, actionable insights into your health.
Why the Scales Don’t Tell the Full Story
At Dr Martin Private General Practitioners, we know that weight alone is misleading.
The number on the scales:
Shows change over time
But does not reflect true health or risk
Your body weight is made up of:
Fat
Muscle
Bone
Two people can be the same height, weight, age, and gender — yet look completely different.
The reason is body composition, not weight.
Body Fat Scales Fall Short
Many consumer scales use bioimpedance analysis (BIA).
They estimate body composition using a low electrical current. While convenient, results can be affected by:
Hydration levels
Recent exercise
Food intake
Medical conditions
This can lead to inconsistent and unreliable results.
What Healthy Body Composition Looks Like
For long-term health, the goal is:
Higher muscle mass
Lower excess fat
Strong, dense bones
However:
Some body fat is essential for normal bodily function
Healthy fat levels vary by gender and ethnicity
Fat distribution changes with age
This is why accurate measurement matters.
Why We Use DEXA Scanning
DEXA (Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) is our gold-standard assessment.
It uses low-dose X-rays to accurately measure:
Body fat percentage
Lean muscle mass
Bone mineral density
DEXA also shows:
Where fat is stored in the body
Levels of visceral (organ) fat
Muscle balance and distribution
This level of accuracy is not possible with standard scales.
Understanding Health Risks Early
DEXA provides clinically valuable insights, including risk assessment for:
Metabolic disease
Cardiovascular risk
Osteoporosis
Frailty and muscle loss with age
Early detection allows early intervention, helping reduce long-term health risks.
More Than Risk — Optimising Your Health
DEXA is also ideal for those wanting to optimise performance and wellbeing.
It helps you:
Confirm fat loss without muscle loss
Track muscle gain from strength training
Monitor improvements in bone density
Measure progress accurately over time
This data-driven approach ensures your efforts are working effectively.
A Smarter Way to Measure Health
DEXA moves beyond weight alone. It provides clarity, precision, and actionable insight — supporting better health now and in the future.
What to Expect at your Dexa Scan
There’s very little you need to do before your appointment. You can eat, drink and take your regular medication as usual.
To keep things simple, wear comfortable clothes without zips, buckles or buttons, as metal can interfere with the images created by the scan.
Your DEXA scan is quick, simple and painless. The test usually takes around 20 minutes. You’ll be asked to lie on a padded table while the scanner moves slowly over the area being checked.
The scanner is open and quiet, so you won’t feel enclosed or uncomfortable. Throughout the scan, your radiographer will stay with you, explaining each step and making sure you feel at ease.
Your results are usually ready within 24 hours.
I’m Sandra, the Nutritionist at Dr Martin – Private General Practitioners
I am passionate about optimising my patients’ health for every stage of life.
Nutrition is a cornerstone of this journey, but to be truly effective, it must be sustainable.
I am dedicated to translating complex science into simple, actionable strategies that respect the importance of enjoying food.
Working closely with our wonderful team of general practitioners allows me to ensure that your nutritional goals are both clinically precise but also fit joyfully into your daily life.
You can read more about me and my approach here in my full bio.
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