How long does a DEXA scan take, and how do I prepare?

The scan takes about 15 minutes and is painless: you lie on an open table while a scanner arm passes over your hip and lower spine. It's done at the same visit as your MRI.

To prepare:

• Don't take calcium supplements, including multivitamins with calcium, for 24 hours before the scan.
• Leave jewellery at home and avoid clothing with metal, such as zips or buttons.
• Tell us about metal implants in your hip or spine, and about any barium examination, contrast CT or nuclear medicine scan in the last 2 weeks: they can affect the measurement.