Everything about getting your bones measured: how DEXA and radiation-free REMS scans work, how to read your T-score and report, what a scan costs, NHS access and private options, how to prepare and how often to repeat it.
Start here: REMS or DEXA? Accuracy, Radiation and Monitoring: What the Evidence Says
Can you get a bone density scan without a GP referral in the UK? On the NHS, no. Privately, often yes. How self-referral works, what to check, and REMS.
A female bone density chart by age doesn't work as most expect: T-score ranges never shift with age. Which score applies at each life stage, and why.
A bone mineral density (BMD) test measures grams of mineral per square centimetre of bone. What g/cm² really means, and why your body size affects it.
DEXA scan results interpretation, line by line: sites measured, BMD in g/cm², T-score and Z-score, which rows to ignore, and why spine and hip disagree.
Is a -3.5 T-score bad? It's in the osteoporosis range, one standard deviation below the -2.5 threshold, but it isn't automatically 'severe osteoporosis'.
Is there a blood test for bone density? No: density can't be measured from blood. What blood tests can tell you about your bones, and what measures density.
Can a DEXA scan detect fractures? It predicts fracture risk rather than showing acute breaks (those need an X-ray), but VFA can spot silent spinal fractures.
A DEXA body composition scan measures fat, lean muscle, bone mineral content and visceral fat. How it works, why it's a reference method, and how it compares.
How accurate is a DEXA scan for body fat percentage? DEXA vs calipers, BIA and the Bod Pod, and why hydration and the machine can change your reading.
What is a DEXA scan? It passes two X-ray energies through the body to measure bone mineral density and give your T-score. How the scanner works, simply.
Bone turnover markers (CTX, P1NP) are blood tests of how fast bone is remodelled, not bone density. What they measure, what they don't, and UK use.
Looking for a DEXA scan near you? Compare UK bone density scan routes: NHS DEXA via your GP, private DEXA clinics, and radiation-free REMS assessment days.
A REMS scan is a radiation-free ultrasound of the spine and hip that gives a T-score plus a Fragility Score. How it differs from DEXA, and where to book one.
Can you get a DEXA bone density scan on the NHS? Only via GP or specialist referral. Who qualifies, how to ask your GP, and private and REMS options.
How often should you have a bone density scan? Repeat DXA scans are usually 2 years apart because bone changes slowly; higher-risk people may need more.
DEXA scan preparation: wear loose, metal-free clothing, flag recent barium, CT contrast or nuclear-medicine scans or possible pregnancy, and arrive on time.
Is a DEXA scan safe? Yes: it uses a very low radiation dose, far less than a chest X-ray. Painless with no injection, but avoided in pregnancy.
Where to get a private bone density (DEXA) scan in the UK: private hospitals, imaging clinics and self-referral providers. What to check, and the REMS option.
Z-score vs T-score: a T-score compares your bone density with a healthy young adult; a Z-score with people of your age, sex and ethnicity. Which one matters.
A DEXA scan isn't designed to diagnose arthritis, but spinal osteoarthritis can falsely raise your spine BMD and mask osteoporosis. What it means for you.
How long does a DEXA bone density scan take? Usually 10–20 minutes. It's painless, you stay dressed, and the scanner arm passes over your spine and hip.
How much does a DEXA bone density scan cost in the UK? NHS scans are free with referral; private DEXA typically costs around £85–£250 in 2026.
DEXA scan T-score: -1.0 or above is normal, -1.0 to -2.5 is osteopenia, -2.5 or below is osteoporosis. What your result means and what to do next.
What does a DEXA scan show? Bone density at the spine and hip and a T-score to diagnose osteoporosis, but not bone quality, so some fracture at a normal result.
Will a DEXA scan show cancer? No: a bone density scan measures bone density to diagnose osteoporosis, not to detect cancer. What it checks, and which tests do.
Is there a radiation-free alternative to a DEXA scan? How REMS ultrasound works, what it can and can't replace, and who it suits. An honest UK guide.
REMS vs DEXA: how the radiation-free REMS ultrasound scan compares with a DEXA X-ray for accuracy, safety and repeat monitoring. Honest UK comparison.
A bone health assessment checks bone strength and fracture risk. What it involves, who needs one in the UK, and how DEXA and radiation-free REMS scans compare.
What to expect at a Screen My Bones bone screening day: a 30-minute appointment, a painless REMS scan, no referral or preparation, and results by email.