Bone density test in El Paso
Desert Imaging does bone density (DEXA) scans at four El Paso centers: West, East, Joe Battle and Horizon City. You lie on the table about 10 minutes while a Hologic Discovery system measures the bone in your spine and hip with a low-dose X-ray.
- Time
- About 10 minutes for spine and hip.
- Offered at
- WestEastJoe BattleHorizon City
- Bring
- Your doctor's order, a photo ID and your insurance card.
- Hours
Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Closed Sunday
What it is
A bone density test, DEXA for dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, uses a very low dose X-ray to measure how much mineral is in your bones. The dose is tiny, about the same as a flight from El Paso to Los Angeles.
The scan measures the lower spine and one hip, usually on your non-dominant side. These are the sites with the most spongy bone, where osteopenia (slight bone loss) and osteoporosis (porous bone) show earliest. They are also the best places to check whether treatment your doctor prescribed is working.
At West we also do vertebral fracture assessment, a side view of the spine on the same machine that checks for compression fractures. Body composition, which measures fat and lean mass, is available as a self-pay exam.
Good to know
A bone density test measures bone strength. It does not show fractures the way an X-ray does, so your doctor may order both.
Where to get it
Choose a center to see this exam there, with the address, hours and directions.
What to expect
Wear loose clothing with no metal or plastic fasteners. Do not take calcium supplements for 24 hours before the exam, because undissolved calcium can sit over a bone and read as denser than it is. Vitamin D and all other medication are fine.
You lie on your back on a padded table and the scanner arm passes slowly over your spine and then your hip. There is nothing to feel. Both take about 10 minutes.
A board-certified radiologist reads the scan. The report goes to your doctor and to your patient portal.
How long it takes: About 10 minutes for spine and hip.
Our equipment
- Hologic Discovery bone density systems at every center that offers it, and on two mobile units.
Exams we perform
From our physician order form. Your doctor names the exact study on the order.
- Bone density, spine and hip
- Vertebral fracture assessment, at West
- Body composition, self-pay
How to prepare
From our preparation sheet. Your appointment confirmation carries the instructions for your exact study.
- Do not take calcium supplements for 24 hours before the exam.
- Calcium takes a while to dissolve and can sit over a bone, which gives that bone a higher reading.
- Vitamin D is OK.
- All other medication and supplements are OK.
- Wear loose clothing with no metal or plastic fasteners.
Common questions
Yes, bring your doctor's order. It tells us whether to scan the spine, the hip or both, and most plans require it for the exam to be covered.
Calcium tablets take time to dissolve. If one is still in your stomach or bowel over the spine, it can read as bone and make the result look better than it is. Skip calcium for 24 hours. Vitamin D is fine.
Your doctor decides, based on your result, your age and any treatment you are on. Tell us if your last scan was somewhere else, so the radiologist can compare.
No. You lie still on a padded table and the arm passes over you. Nothing touches you and there is no injection.
Ready to book your Bone density?
Request an appointment online and bring your doctor's order. We take it from there.
# Bone density test in El Paso Desert Imaging does bone density (DEXA) scans at four El Paso centers: West, East, Joe Battle and Horizon City. You lie on the table about 10 minutes while a Hologic Discovery system measures the bone in your spine and hip with a low-dose X-ray. ## What it is A bone density test, DEXA for dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, uses a very low dose X-ray to measure how much mineral is in your bones. The dose is tiny, about the same as a flight from El Paso to Los Angeles. The scan measures the lower spine and one hip, usually on your non-dominant side. These are the sites with the most spongy bone, where osteopenia (slight bone loss) and osteoporosis (porous bone) show earliest. They are also the best places to check whether treatment your doctor prescribed is working. At West we also do vertebral fracture assessment, a side view of the spine on the same machine that checks for compression fractures. Body composition, which measures fat and lean mass, is available as a self-pay exam. **Good to know:** A bone density test measures bone strength. It does not show fractures the way an X-ray does, so your doctor may order both. ## Where to get it - [West](https://desertimagingcenters.com/locations/west/bone-density): 122 W. Castellano Dr., El Paso, TX 79912. Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.. Closed Sunday. - [East](https://desertimagingcenters.com/locations/lee-trevino/bone-density): 1727 Lee Trevino Dr., El Paso, TX 79935. Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.. Closed Sunday. - [Joe Battle](https://desertimagingcenters.com/locations/joe-battle/bone-density): 3080 Joe Battle Blvd., Suite B, El Paso, TX 79938. Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.. Closed Sunday. - [Horizon City](https://desertimagingcenters.com/locations/horizon-city/bone-density): 13650 Eastlake Blvd., Suite A-102, Horizon City, TX 79928. Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.. Closed Sunday. ## What to expect Wear loose clothing with no metal or plastic fasteners. Do not take calcium supplements for 24 hours before the exam, because undissolved calcium can sit over a bone and read as denser than it is. Vitamin D and all other medication are fine. You lie on your back on a padded table and the scanner arm passes slowly over your spine and then your hip. There is nothing to feel. Both take about 10 minutes. A board-certified radiologist reads the scan. The report goes to your doctor and to your patient portal. **How long it takes:** About 10 minutes for spine and hip. ## Our equipment - Hologic Discovery bone density systems at every center that offers it, and on two mobile units. ## Exams we perform From our physician order form. Your doctor names the exact study on the order. - Bone density, spine and hip - Vertebral fracture assessment, at West - Body composition, self-pay ## How to prepare From our preparation sheet. Your appointment confirmation carries the instructions for your exact study. - Do not take calcium supplements for 24 hours before the exam. - Calcium takes a while to dissolve and can sit over a bone, which gives that bone a higher reading. - Vitamin D is OK. - All other medication and supplements are OK. - Wear loose clothing with no metal or plastic fasteners. ## Common questions ### Do I need a doctor's order? Yes, bring your doctor's order. It tells us whether to scan the spine, the hip or both, and most plans require it for the exam to be covered. ### Why no calcium the day before? Calcium tablets take time to dissolve. If one is still in your stomach or bowel over the spine, it can read as bone and make the result look better than it is. Skip calcium for 24 hours. Vitamin D is fine. ### How often should I repeat it? Your doctor decides, based on your result, your age and any treatment you are on. Tell us if your last scan was somewhere else, so the radiologist can compare. ### Is it painful? No. You lie still on a padded table and the arm passes over you. Nothing touches you and there is no injection. ## Ready to book? Request an appointment online and bring your doctor's order. We take it from there. - [Request an appointment](https://eforms.abbadox.com/240384671438865) - Call (915) 577-0100