DEXA body composition scan
Measures how much of you is fat, muscle and bone - including the hidden visceral fat around your organs.
TypeScan · Low-dose X-ray
HowLie on a table for about 10 minutes while the scanner passes over your whole body.
How oftenEvery 6–12 months if tracking change.
BeforeSame time of day, similar hydration each time; no metal.
WhoPeople tracking fat loss, muscle gain or healthy aging.
Why the scale doesn’t tell you enough
Two people can weigh the same with very different health. What matters is how much muscle you carry and where your fat sits.
Muscle
“Am I losing muscle?”
Lean mass drops with age and during weight loss - DEXA shows it.
Key for aging
Visceral fat
“Is my fat risky?”
Fat around your organs is linked to metabolic and heart risk.
Hidden risk
Not the same as bone density
“Is this an osteoporosis test?”
No - body composition and bone density are different scan protocols.
Different purpose
Is it right for you?
Worth considering if…
- You’re losing weight (including on GLP-1 medicine) and want to protect muscle.
- You’re training and want to track progress.
- You’re 50+ and want to monitor muscle loss.
A better option if…
- You need osteoporosis screening - ask for a DEXA bone density scan.
- You just want a rough trend - waist size is free and useful.
How it’s measured
Whole-body DEXA
Fat, lean and bone mass by region, plus visceral fat estimate.
Bioimpedance scales
Cheaper, less accurate - fine for trends.
The full picture
What is it?
A whole-body scan measuring fat, lean and bone mass.
What type of test is it?
A low-dose X-ray imaging test.
What does it measure?
Body fat %, lean mass, regional distribution and visceral fat.
Why might someone consider it?
To track changes that weight alone hides.
Who is it most relevant for?
People tracking fat loss, muscle or aging.
How is it performed?
You lie still while the scanner passes over you.
How often might it be considered?
Every 6–12 months.
What can the result help you understand?
How your body composition is changing.
What are its limitations?
Hydration and machine differences affect results; often self-pay.
What should it be viewed with?
Weight, waist, strength, insulin and ApoB.
Where to get it
Through your provider
A referral to radiology or an imaging centre.
Imaging centres
Some accept self-referral - check coverage first.
Hospital programmes
Often bundle the scan with specialist advice.
Names are examples only, not endorsements. Your provider can often order the same test - and help interpret it.
Connected to
Questions to ask your provider
- Is a body composition scan useful for my goals?
Ziva Health
One test is a snapshot. Ziva shows the whole story.
Ziva brings your lab results, wearables and daily readings together - and Isabella tells you what’s changing and what to ask your provider next.
Refer Ziva to my provider / care team
Is your provider not on Ziva yet? Send them a link in under a minute - once they join, they’ll see your DEXA body composition scan result alongside your other trends and get alerts directly.
Refer my providerAlready seeing your provider?
Bring your Ziva 30-day report to your next appointment - your DEXA body composition scan result and daily trends in one view, so the conversation starts with the full picture.
Get my 30-day reportNo provider? Find a clinical partner
Being listed doesn’t mean everyone needs this test. Educational only — not medical advice. Results should be interpreted with a qualified clinician. ← Back to Know What to Test