Bone Densitometry

HMC Burnaby uses the “Research-Grade” GE Lunar iDXA which is used to assess the density of your bones determining whether osteopenia or osteoporosis is present. If left untreated, in women especially, these conditions can lead to “thin” bones which are prone to easy fracture from a fall or other injury.

The National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends that you have a bone density test if:

• You are a woman over 65
• You are a man age 70 or over
• You break a bone after age 50
• An X-ray shows a break or bone loss in your spine
• A loss in height of ½ inch in one year or 1 ½ inches from your original height
• You are a woman of menopausal age with risk factors
• You are a postmenopausal woman under 65 with risk factors
• You are a man age 50-69 with risk factors

Risk factors include cigarette smoking, use of steroids, weighing less than 127lbs, rheumatoid arthritis, non-traumatic bone fracture in self or parents, excessive alcohol consumption, diabetes, early menopause, hyperthyroidism, hyperparathyroidism, chronic liver disease Body Composition Assessment

The GE Lunar iDXA is also useful to assess weight and body mass index (BMI) in the most accurate way possible. DXA body composition analysis is considered the “gold standard”  for health assessment by quantifying your fat mass, lean mass and bone of each segment of the body (please note body composition assessments are not covered by insurance)