Advanced Body Composition · Coming Soon
DEXA Scan
DEXA scan is a specialized X-ray that quantifies bone mineral density, providing an objective assessment of fracture risk and helping clinicians diagnose conditions like osteoporosis. It also assesses body composition (muscle mass and adipose tissue, including visceral fat), offering precise, reproducible measurements that support treatment decisions and long-term monitoring. Coming soon, and open to all patients.
What a DEXA scan measures
DEXA uses two low-dose X-ray beams to distinguish between bone, lean muscle, and fat tissue with a level of precision that other body composition methods cannot match.
A single DEXA scan provides three important categories of information. First, bone mineral density, used to diagnose osteoporosis and osteopenia and to monitor changes over time. Second, lean muscle mass, a strong predictor of healthy aging and functional independence. Third, fat distribution, including visceral adipose tissue, which carries greater cardiovascular and metabolic risk than fat stored elsewhere in the body.
Why DEXA matters
Bone health
DEXA is the clinical standard for diagnosing osteoporosis and osteopenia and for monitoring the response to treatment. For adults at risk for fracture, routine DEXA scanning is a critical part of preventive care.
Cardiovascular and metabolic risk
Visceral fat is a significant driver of cardiovascular and metabolic disease. DEXA quantifies it precisely, informing both prevention plans and the monitoring of interventions.
Lean mass and healthy aging
Maintaining lean muscle mass is one of the strongest predictors of long-term health and functional independence. DEXA offers a precise baseline that can be tracked over years.
Athletic performance
For athletes and active adults, DEXA provides the kind of body composition detail that informs training, nutrition, and recovery decisions.
What to expect
A DEXA scan is quick, painless, and uses a very low dose of radiation (less than a typical day of natural background radiation exposure). You will lie still on a padded table while a scanning arm moves above you. The entire scan takes approximately 20 minutes. Results are reviewed by your Lown Group physician and discussed with you in the context of your overall care.
Coming soon
DEXA scanning will be available at our Wellesley location in the coming months. To be notified when scheduling opens, call our main office at (617) 732-1318.
All testing, labs, and clinical services are billed to insurance and not included in the membership fee.
Learn about membership
Our membership includes a thoughtful onboarding process to ensure The Lown Group is the right fit for your care needs. Our team is available to answer questions.
