DEXA (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) is the gold standard investigation for bone density measurement and osteoporosis diagnosis. Available at our private specialist clinic in Naas.
What Is a DEXA Scan?
A DEXA scan measures bone mineral density (BMD) and generates a T-score comparing your bone density to a healthy young adult. T-score below -2.5 = osteoporosis. Between -1.0 and -2.5 = osteopenia.
Who Should Have a DEXA Scan?
Understanding Your Result
A DEXA scan reports bone mineral density at the lumbar spine and hip, and expresses it two ways. The T-score compares your bone density with that of a healthy young adult: a T-score of −1.0 or above is normal, between −1.0 and −2.5 is osteopenia (low bone mass), and −2.5 or below meets the diagnostic threshold for osteoporosis. The Z-score compares you with people of your own age and sex, and is the more useful figure in younger adults and pre-menopausal women — a Z-score of −2.0 or below is described as “below the expected range for age” and prompts a look for secondary causes.
Bone density is only part of fracture risk. Dr Kazmi combines the scan with the FRAX tool, which estimates your 10-year probability of a major osteoporotic fracture and of hip fracture from your age, sex, weight, height, prior fracture, family history, smoking, alcohol and steroid use, with or without the DEXA hip result. FRAX output is read against the National Osteoporosis Guideline Group intervention thresholds to decide whether treatment, lifestyle measures alone, or simple reassurance and a repeat scan is the right course.
Treatment & Monitoring
If Treatment Is Needed
Follow-Up
Book Your DEXA
Saturday & Sunday appointments at Vista Primary Care Clinic, Naas. Dr Kazmi (IMC 213626) provides full DEXA interpretation with FRAX scoring and personalised treatment plan.
No. Dr Kazmi (Consultant Endocrinologist, IMC 213626) accepts self-referrals for DEXA bone density scans at our Naas, Co. Kildare clinic.
The scan takes 10-20 minutes. Results are reviewed and explained by Dr Kazmi on the day with a full written report for your GP.
Very little preparation is needed. Wear comfortable clothing without metal zips, buttons or underwiring over the hip and spine area, as metal interferes with the image. Do not take calcium supplements on the day of the scan. If you have had a barium study, a CT with contrast or a nuclear medicine scan in the previous week, tell the clinic, as residual contrast can affect the result. Let us know if there is any chance you could be pregnant. There is no fasting requirement and you can eat and drink normally beforehand.
A DEXA scan uses a very low dose of ionising radiation — typically around 1 to 10 microsieverts for a spine and hip study, which is a small fraction of a standard chest X-ray and less than a day of natural background radiation in Ireland. The dose is low enough that DEXA is used routinely for screening and for repeat monitoring every few years. It is still avoided in pregnancy as a precaution.
Both describe reduced bone density, and they sit on a continuum. Osteopenia (a T-score between −1.0 and −2.5) means bone mass is lower than the young-adult average but not yet in the osteoporosis range; many people with osteopenia never need drug treatment and are managed with calcium, vitamin D, weight-bearing exercise and risk-factor control, with a repeat scan in a few years. Osteoporosis (a T-score of −2.5 or below, or any fragility fracture regardless of score) carries a materially higher fracture risk and usually warrants bone-specific medication.
Yes. Dr Kazmi accepts self-referral for DEXA at the Naas clinic, and the scan, the FRAX calculation and a full explanation of the result with a written report for your GP are provided in one visit. A GP referral letter is welcome because it gives useful background — previous fractures, current medication, relevant bloods — but it is not required to book.