A DEXA body composition scan provides information about lean muscle mass, fat distribution, and bone density which can be particularly useful for disease and injury prevention, athletic performance, longevity, and overall health. Excessive body fat, especially visceral (abdominal, around the organs) fat, is associated with various chronic diseases. Skeletal muscle mass, on the other hand, is an important predictor of vitality and independence in adult life with severe loss of skeletal muscle (and associated loss of bone density) linked to physical frailty in old age.

Other body composition analysis techniques are insufficient, imprecise, and inconvenient. Body mass index (BMI) is a screening tool based on averages and formulas that do not tell the whole story. Caliper measuring relies on overgeneralized formulas and unreliable or poorly reproduced measuring locations. Hydrostatic underwater weighing requires three separate submersions into a water tank while the participant expels all air and remains motionless for measuring.

A DEXA body composition scan can help you get a more accurate representation of your overall health regardless of your family history, age, or gender. These body composition details can provide a baseline of where you are now and help track changes over time, putting you in the driver seat of your health.

A DEXA body composition scan should be considered a regular inclusion in a comprehensive wellness checkup as it can offer baseline testing and progress monitoring in health markers like visceral fat quantification in the abdominal region, lean muscle mass, and bone mineral density scoring. This information is often particularly helpful for those interested in tracking cardiometabolic health, development, and growth for disease prevention and general health or longevity. Athletes interested in injury prevention and athletic performance may benefit greatly from this information as well.

A DEXA (Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry) body composition scan offers the most precise analysis of body composition and bone health.

A DEXA body composition scan is fast (<15 minutes) and easy (lie on a table while a scanner hovers over your body).

You will receive a color printout of your scan for your individual records and use. A physician will not review your scan as part of this appointment. If you are interested in reviewing your scan results with your healthcare provider, please reach out to their clinic to schedule a separate appointment.

If you are interested in establishing a health coaching relationship or lifestyle health plan to positively influence future body composition results, please see our available coaching services.

DEXA body composition scan appointments are offered during normal business hours for Mammoth Hospital's Medical Imaging department.

DEXA body composition scan appointments are held in Mammoth Hospital's Medical Imaging department at the hospital's main campus (85 Sierra Park Rd, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546).

DEXA body composition scans are performed by Certified Radiologic Technologists in Mammoth Hospital’s Medical Imaging department for a cash price of $152. Payment for a DEXA body composition scan will be taken through the Medical Imaging department at the time of service. Body composition scans are typically not covered by insurance as they are seen as non-medically necessary.

Participants will want to get a written (electronic or paper) order from their physician for a body composition scan. While DEXA uses very low level x-rays, application of any radiation in a healthcare setting in the state of California should be performed by a certified provider acting under a physician’s orders. Women who are pregnant should typically avoid procedures involving x-ray technology.

Once you have a written order from your physician, please call Mammoth Hospital’s Medical Imaging Department (760-924-4070) to schedule a DEXA body composition appointment.