What a Dexa Scan Reveals About Your Health

Dr. Sherri Thomas is dedicated to finding what truly works for you on your health journey, and that’s why she uses the DEXA Scan. To her, it’s more than a tool – it’s a way to understand your body in detail so her advice is personalized for you. She cares deeply about your progress and wants to ensure that every step you take is the best one for your overall health. With the DEXA Scan, Dr. Thomas can offer personalized guidance that helps you not just lose weight but to do so in a way that’s healthy and supportive.

By offering precise measurements of your muscle, fat, and bone density, the DEXA Scan equips us with the data needed to create a customized weight management plan. This detailed analysis can also help you make informed choices about your diet and exercise, ensuring you lose fat while preserving lean muscle and bone health.

A DEXA Scan, or Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry, is an imaging test that measures:

• Visceral Fat: This is the fat that grows around your organs, which can affect your health more than fat under your skin. Knowing how much visceral fat you have can help assess your risk for conditions like diabetes and heart disease.
• Lean Muscle Mass: The scan shows how much muscle you have. This helps in creating an exercise plan that builds or maintains muscle while losing fat.
• Bone Density: It measures the strength of your bones. Maintaining good bone density is important, especially during weight loss, to prevent conditions like osteoporosis.

This detailed information goes beyond weighing yourself, helping you make smarter choices about your health.

1. The Process: You will lie on a table while the scanner moves over your body. The scan is quick, usually taking about 10 minutes, and is completely painless.
2. Areas Measured: The scan focuses on areas like your arms, legs, and hips to provide a clear picture of your body’s fat, muscle, and bone density recommendations.
3. Results and Report: After the scan, you will receive a report that shows your body composition in detail. This includes measurements of fat, muscle, and bone, along with personalized recommendations.
4. Next Steps: Based on your results, we’ll consult with your doctor and can suggest specific changes to your diet and exercise routine to help you reach your health goals more effectively.

A DEXA Scan offers a detailed view of your body’s composition, providing key insights that can help you manage your weight more effectively. By understanding your fat, muscle, and bone density, you can make informed decisions about your health and create a balanced plan for weight management and overall health.