DEXA Scan Scottsdale: Discover What Your Scale Can't Tell You
A hospital-grade DEXA scan at our Scottsdale clinic provides the most precise body composition measurement available—revealing what weight and BMI can’t tell you. Track real progress toward your fitness, weight loss, or longevity goals with accurate data on body fat percentage, lean muscle mass, bone density, and visceral fat. Our scan delivers physician-guided analysis with accuracy within 1-2%.
Body fat percentage
Precise measurement of total body fat and regional distribution
Lean muscle mass
Track muscle gains or losses to optimize training and prevent age-related decline
Bone density
Early detection of osteoporosis risk and bone health monitoring
Visceral fat
Measure dangerous fat around organs that drives metabolic disease
Why Get a DEXA Scan in Scottsdale?
DEXA scans are most commonly known for measuring bone density and assessing osteoporosis risk—and while that’s an important application, DEXA technology reveals far more about your health. Body composition analysis through DEXA scanning tracks muscle mass gains or losses, identifies dangerous visceral fat around organs, measures body fat distribution, and provides the precise data needed to optimize fitness performance, guide effective weight loss, reveal metabolic health risks, and monitor how your body changes as you age.
Weight Loss
Tracking
Accurately measure fat loss versus muscle loss to guide effective and sustainable weight loss. The scale can't tell you if you're losing fat or muscle—DEXA can, allowing you to adjust your diet and training to preserve muscle while losing fat.
Bone Density &
Osteoporosis Risk
Detect early signs of bone loss to help prevent fractures and monitor osteoporosis risk. Early detection through DEXA allows intervention before fractures occur, particularly important for women approaching menopause and anyone over 50.
Longevity &
Metabolic Health
Reveal key health markers to support long-term wellness, aging, and metabolic balance. Visceral fat measured by DEXA is one of the strongest predictors of metabolic disease—catching elevated levels early allows intervention before diabetes or cardiovascular disease develops.
Athletic Performance
& Fitness
Receive precise body composition data to optimize training, performance, and recovery strategies. Track muscle gains from strength training, ensure you're building muscle not just gaining weight, and identify muscular imbalances that could lead to injury.
Why Choose a DEXA Scan?
The Gold Standard for Body Composition
Analysis in Scottsdale
Whether you’re optimizing athletic performance, tracking fat loss while preserving muscle, building strength, or monitoring bone health and metabolic risk, a DEXA scan at our Scottsdale clinic provides the most accurate, science-backed insights available to guide your health and fitness journey.
Accurate
Precision you can trust, results you can rely on.
Traditional body composition methods like bioelectrical impedance scales, calipers, or hydrostatic weighing have error rates of 5-15%. Hospital-grade DEXA scanning, with accuracy within just 1-2%, is the most precise and reliable method for measuring body composition available. When you’re tracking progress, that precision matters—you need to know if changes are real or just measurement error.
Comprehensive
Every layer of your body is clearly revealed.
DEXA is the only body composition method that separates and measures three distinct components: body fat (including subcutaneous and visceral fat), lean muscle mass (by region and total), and bone mineral content. This comprehensive analysis provides insights that no other single test can match—revealing not just how much you weigh, but what that weight consists of and where it’s located.
Simple
No prep. No stress. Just scan and go.
Unlike many body composition tests that require fasting, avoiding caffeine, controlling hydration status, or other preparation to ensure accuracy, DEXA scans require no special preparation. The scan is quick, completely non-invasive (you remain fully clothed), and comfortable. Simply show up, lie on the table, and let the technology do the work.
Transparent
See the full picture—left and right
DEXA scans measure lean muscle mass separately for the left and right sides of your arms, legs, and trunk, helping you identify muscular imbalances caused by overuse, injury, sport-specific training, or compensation patterns. These imbalances, when identified early, can be addressed through targeted training before they lead to injury or performance limitations.
Choose the DEXA Scan
That’s Right For You
Limited Time Offer
Body
Composition
Complete analysis of your body composition.
$149$99Save $50
- Precise body fat percentage
- Lean muscle mass analysis
- Visceral fat measurement
- Metabolic rate calculations
- Comprehensive report
Bone Density
Analysis with Frax Score
Recommended for perimenopausal women or anyone over 50.
$149
- Spine, hips, and forearm analysis 10-year fracture risk assessment
- FRAX score calculation
- Osteoporosis screening
- Bone health recommendations
Dexa Combo
Best value!
$249
- Full body composition analysis
- Complete bone density evaluation
- Health risk assessment
- Integrated reporting
- Personalized recommendations
Take Health Optimization to the Next Level
Beyond standalone DEXA scans, Preamble Health offers comprehensive programs for ongoing health optimization and performance enhancement. Our Medicine 3.0 Executive Physical ($2,750) provides the complete picture—combining DEXA body composition analysis with 100+ biomarker blood testing, VO2 max cardiovascular fitness assessment, metabolic rate measurement, physician-guided analysis, and personalized optimization strategies. Take your health data further with integrated care designed for peak performance and longevity.
Frequently Asked Questions About DEXA Scans in Scottsdale
What is a DEXA scan and how does it work?
DEXA (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) uses low-dose x-rays at two different energy levels to differentiate between bone, lean tissue, and fat tissue as the scanner passes over your body. The scan is completely non-invasive—you simply lie on a table fully clothed while the machine analyzes your body composition. The radiation exposure is minimal, equivalent to about one day of natural background radiation or a few hours on an airplane, making it safe for regular monitoring every 3-6 months.
How accurate is a DEXA scan compared to other body composition methods?
DEXA scanning is the gold standard for body composition analysis with accuracy within 1-2%. Compare this to bioelectrical impedance scales (5-15% error), skinfold calipers (3-5% error), or hydrostatic weighing (2-3% error). This precision matters when tracking progress—you need to know if changes are real or just measurement variability. DEXA’s accuracy makes it the preferred method used in research studies and by professional athletes monitoring body composition.
What's the difference between the body composition scan and bone density scan?
The body composition scan ($149) focuses on measuring body fat percentage, lean muscle mass, and visceral fat distribution—ideal for fitness tracking, weight loss monitoring, and metabolic health assessment. The bone density scan ($149) measures bone mineral density in your spine, hips, and forearms, calculates your FRAX score for fracture risk, and screens for osteoporosis—recommended for perimenopausal women and anyone over 50. The combo package ($249) includes both analyses in a single scan, providing complete body composition and bone health assessment.
How should I prepare for my DEXA scan?
No special preparation is required for DEXA scans—you don’t need to fast, avoid caffeine, or control hydration like with other body composition tests. Simply wear comfortable clothing without metal (no zippers, underwire bras, or metal buttons). Remove jewelry, watches, and phones before the scan. Avoid taking calcium supplements 24 hours before a bone density scan as they can interfere with results.
How often should I get a DEXA scan?
For body composition tracking during active fitness or weight loss efforts, scanning every 3-6 months provides useful feedback on whether your training and nutrition are producing desired results. For general health monitoring or maintenance, annual DEXA scans are sufficient to track changes over time. For bone density monitoring, most people retest every 1-2 years unless actively treating osteoporosis, in which case more frequent monitoring may be recommended to assess treatment effectiveness.
Who should get a DEXA scan?
DEXA scans are valuable for anyone serious about body composition goals—athletes optimizing performance, people tracking weight loss to ensure they’re losing fat not muscle, strength trainers building muscle mass, or anyone wanting accurate baseline data. Bone density scans are particularly important for women approaching or past menopause, anyone over 50, people with family history of osteoporosis, those taking medications affecting bone health, or anyone concerned about fracture risk. If you’re serious about understanding your body rather than just tracking weight, DEXA provides the data you need.
Where do I get my DEXA scan done?
All DEXA scans are performed at our Scottsdale clinic located at 16430 N Scottsdale Rd, Suite 110, Scottsdale, AZ 85254. We use hospital-grade DEXA technology with physician-guided analysis of your results. Appointments are required—you can book online or call (480) 944-5400. We serve patients throughout the Phoenix metro area including Paradise Valley, Cave Creek, Fountain Hills, and surrounding communities.
What will my DEXA scan results show?
Your comprehensive DEXA report includes total body fat percentage, regional fat distribution (arms, legs, trunk), lean muscle mass (total and by region), visceral adipose tissue (fat around organs), bone mineral density with T-scores and Z-scores (if bone density scan ordered), and comparisons to healthy reference ranges for your age and sex. For body composition scans, you’ll also receive metabolic rate calculations based on your lean mass. Results can be reviewed in person at our clinic or discussed during a virtual consultation.
Is a DEXA scan covered by insurance?
DEXA scans for body composition purposes are typically not covered by insurance, though bone density scans may be covered for patients meeting specific criteria (women over 65, postmenopausal women with risk factors, history of fractures). Our transparent pricing is $149 for body composition or bone density scans individually, or $249 for the combo. All Preamble services are HSA/FSA eligible. We recommend checking with your insurance provider if you’re specifically seeking bone density screening for medical purposes.
Can I track my progress over time?
Yes! Tracking progress over time is one of the most valuable applications of DEXA scanning. When you scan with us at Preamble Health, we store your results and create comparison reports showing changes in body fat, muscle mass, visceral fat, and bone density between scans. This longitudinal tracking reveals whether your training, nutrition, or medical interventions are producing desired results. Many clients establish a baseline DEXA scan, implement changes for 3-6 months, then retest to objectively measure progress.
Is DEXA scanning safe? How much radiation exposure is involved?
DEXA scans use very low-dose radiation—approximately 0.001 mSv (millisieverts) per scan, which is less than the radiation you receive from one day of natural background radiation or a few hours of air travel. For comparison, a chest x-ray delivers about 0.1 mSv (100 times more) and a CT scan delivers 7-10 mSv (7,000-10,000 times more). The radiation exposure from DEXA is so minimal that regular scanning every 3-6 months for body composition tracking presents negligible risk and is considered safe even for frequent monitoring.
Schedule Your DEXA Scan in Scottsdale Today
Stop guessing about your body composition and get precise, actionable data. Whether you’re tracking fat loss, building muscle, monitoring bone health, or assessing metabolic risk through visceral fat measurement, DEXA scanning provides the accuracy you need to optimize your health and fitness with confidence.
Limited appointments available at our Scottsdale clinic
Hospital-grade DEXA technology with physician-guided analysis