Get your bone density test
Get a complete bone density scan for $220
Like other organs in the body, bones are constantly changing.
Throughout childhood and young adult-hood, bones grow in strength and in size. Around the age of 25, bones reach their peak strength and then naturally become weaker with age.
Osteoporosis is a condition where bones become abnormally weak to the point of breaking. This weakening may be caused by other factors that combine with age. Symptoms of osteoporosis do not occur until a lot of bone strength is lost.
The most visible symptoms may include loss of height, along with curvature of the upper back. Osteoporosis also can result in a crippling and painful fracture, occurring most often in the hip, back, or wrist.
Important risk factors for osteoporosis include:
- Female
- Asian or Caucasian
- Advanced age
- History of bone fracture
- Small thin frame
- A family history of osteoporosis
- Removal of the ovaries
- Early menopause
- Low calcium diet
- Lack of exercise
- Eating disorders
- Certain medicines (such as steroids or anticonvulsants)
- Alcohol and tobacco use
- Vitamin D deficiency
What can I expect during my bone densitometry test?
The bone densitometer is like a large examination table. It is padded and comfortable. Your name, age, height, weight and ethnicity will be entered into the computer before your test.This information is used to compare your results to a normal reference group.
You will be asked to lie on your back, remaining in your normal clothing in most cases. Belt buckles, metal or thick plastic buttons and metal jewellery will need to be removed from the region being examined.
The operator will position your arms and legs for the test, which is painless and typically takes 10 minutes. You just need to lie still and breathe normally.
HOW DOES THE DENSITOMETER WORK?
A bone densitometry test is an aid to doctors in the diagnosis of osteoporosis. The test compares your bone to that of a “young adult” at peak bone strength (T-score). The World Health Organization (WHO) has developed categories that define the amount of bone loss
FAQs
Helping you answer questions regarding your DEXA Bone Density exams and results.
Even though X-rays are used, the amount absorbed by the patient is only about 1/10th of that received from a chest X-ray. The X-ray dose from the bone densitometry test is comparable to the naturally occurring radiation you are exposed to in one week.
Caution: Even though the X-ray dose from the bone densitometry test is very low, please inform the operator if you are pregnant or might be pregnant before your test!
Your exam will take approximately 15–20 minutes, depending on how many areas of the body we will need to scan in your circumstance. You will not need to hold your breath, but you must lie still during the scan to avoid blurring of your image.
A copy of the report will go to the referring practitioner, which is normally your GP. Digital copies of all studies are stored on our secured database for comparison with any future examinations.
Osteoporosis New Zealand https://osteoporosis.org.nz/
The mineral calcium is essential for building and maintaining healthy bones throughout life. The IOF's easy-to-use calcium calculator enables you to find out if you are getting enough calcium in your diet: https://www.osteoporosis.foundation/educational-hub/topic/calcium-calculator
Your T-score combined with other risk factors, will enable your doctor to estimate what your risk of a hip fracture or other major osteoporosis-related fracture will be in the next 10 years. This information will help your doctor determine what course of action should be taken. The bone densitometry test is also useful in following bone changes. Your doctor may suggest follow-up tests to detect change over time.
You may be asked to change into a gown or remove metallic objects from your body, such as jewellery, zippers, buttons or pins to avoid interference with your scan. If you have had surgery to implant metal into the spine or hip, please inform the radiographer as this will interfere with your scan. If you are pregnant, or if there is any chance you may be pregnant, a DEXA scan is not suitable for you. Please discuss other options with your referring doctor.
There are no side effects from this exam. A DEXA uses a very small amount of ionising radiation, but is a significantly lower dose than a normal x-ray, which means the radiographer will be able to stay in the room with you during your scan.
Please inform booking staff or the radiographer of any recent imaging appointments involving barium, the injection of contrast material for a CT scan or a radioisotope injection. If you are pregnant, or if there is any chance you may be pregnant, a DEXA scan is not suitable for you. Please discuss other options with your referring doctor.
A referral from a doctor is required at the time of booking.
Form Imaging
Inside Flex Fitness - entry opposite Brandland
5 Mile Centre, Queenstown
Shop 6/34 Grant Rd.
Frankton 9300
