Power Potential

DEXA Body Composition & Bone Density

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DEXA (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) is the gold-standard assessment for measuring bone mineral density and body composition.

Originally developed to assess bone health, DEXA is now widely recognised as the most accurate method for analysing fat mass, lean muscle mass and body fat distribution. The scan provides detailed, reliable insights to support health management, injury risk reduction and performance tracking.

At Power Potential, DEXA is used for clinical screening, performance monitoring and long-term health assessment for a wide range of individuals – from athletes to those focused on general health or medical outcomes.

Why It Matters for You

Understanding your body composition and bone health allows for more informed decisions around training, nutrition and long-term wellbeing. A DEXA scan can help you:

  • Monitor muscle gain or loss over time
  • Track fat loss and changes in body composition
  • Identify visceral fat associated with increased health risk
  • Assess bone strength and fracture risk
  • Support injury prevention and rehabilitation
  • Guide performance, weight management and clinical care

What the Scan Measures

DEXA provides detailed information on:

  • Bone mineral density
  • Lean muscle mass
  • Fat mass and body fat percentage
  • Regional distribution of muscle and fat (arms, legs and trunk)
  • Visceral fat analysis

Results are reviewed and explained by our clinical team, with recommendations based on your health or performance goals.

 

What to Expect During Your Session

  • A quick, comfortable and non-invasive scan
  • You will lie still while the scanner passes over your body
  • No preparation or recovery time required
  • Immediate results with clinical explanation

Is a DEXA Scan Right for You?

DEXA may be beneficial if you:

  • Want accurate body composition data to guide training or nutrition
  • Are monitoring weight loss or muscle development
  • Are an athlete tracking performance or muscle balance
  • Have risk factors for low bone density or osteoporosis
  • Have metabolic, hormonal or lifestyle-related health concerns

Strongly Recommended If You Have Risk Factors for Low Bone Density

DEXA is strongly recommended if you:

  • Are a post-menopausal woman not taking oestrogen
  • Are a post-menopausal woman who is tall (over 170 cm) or underweight (less than 57 kg)
  • Have a personal history of fracture from minimal trauma
  • Have a family history of osteoporosis or a maternal history of hip fracture
  • Smoke

DEXA may also be important if you:

  • Are a male with conditions associated with bone loss
  • Use medications known to reduce bone density (e.g. long-term corticosteroids, certain anti-seizure medications or high-dose thyroid medication)
  • Have medical conditions affecting bone health, including thyroid or parathyroid disorders, liver or kidney disease, Type 1 diabetes, or gastrointestinal conditions such as coeliac or Crohn’s disease
  • Have experienced unexplained height loss or persistent back pain
  • Have X-ray evidence of vertebral fracture or suspected osteoporosis

In some cases, a Lateral Vertebral Assessment (LVA) may be recommended. This is a low-dose spine scan performed on the DEXA machine to screen for vertebral fractures.

If results are borderline, fracture risk may be further assessed using the FRAX® tool, which estimates your 10-year fracture risk and helps guide clinical decision-making.

Medicare Eligibility (Bone Density)

Medicare rebates may apply for patients who meet specific clinical criteria and have a valid GP referral.

Eligible every 24 months (Item 12306)
• Proven osteoporosis (at least 12 months prior)
• Minimal trauma fracture or vertebral wedging

Eligible every 12 months (Item 12312)
• Prolonged corticosteroid therapy
• Male hypogonadism (low testosterone)
• Female hypogonadism (amenorrhoea)
• Early menopause

Eligible every 24 months (Item 12315)
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Hyperparathyroidism
• Chronic liver or kidney disease
• Crohn’s disease or coeliac disease
• Conditions associated with excess thyroid hormone

Eligible every 12 months (Item 12321)
• Significant change in treatment affecting bone health
• Screening under 70 years of age (out-of-pocket fee may apply)

Item 12320
• Initial screening for patients aged 70 years and over

Item 12323 – Follow-up scans
• T-score greater than -1.5 → eligible every 5 years
• T-score less than or equal to -1.5 → eligible every 2 years

Bone density scans require a GP referral to access Medicare rebates.

Private health funds may also provide rebates depending on your level of cover. Please contact your insurer to confirm eligibility.

Safety & Considerations

DEXA uses very low-dose X-rays, with radiation exposure lower than a standard chest X-ray and comparable to natural background exposure from everyday environments.

A DEXA scan may not be suitable if you:

  • Are pregnant or may be pregnant
  • Have recently undergone imaging involving contrast
  • Have had multiple high-radiation scans within a short period

Our clinical team will review your history to ensure the scan is appropriate and safe for you. 

This service may be eligible for Medicare (EPC / Chronic Disease Management) rebates with a valid GP referral. We also accept private health insurance where applicable.

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