Healthdirect Free Australian health advice you can count on.

Medical problem? Call 1800 022 222. If you need urgent medical help, call triple zero immediately

healthdirect Australia is a free service where you can talk to a nurse or doctor who can help you know what to do.

beginning of content

Bone density scan

9-minute read

Key facts

  • A bone density scan is a medical test used to help identify low bone density and diagnose osteoporosis.
  • Osteoporosis is a disease characterised by low bone density and the weakening of the building blocks that make up your bones.
  • People living with osteoporosis have porous, fragile bones, which can lead to an increased risk of fractures (broken bones).
  • If you have higher-than-average risk factors for osteoporosis (for example, older age, various medical conditions and long term use of certain medicines) your doctor might refer you for a bone density scan.
  • Bone density scans are widely accessible, painless, are often covered by Medicare and involve minimal levels of radiation.

What is a bone density scan?

A bone density scan is a medical test used to help diagnose osteoporosis. Bone density scans are also used to help see whether your risk of developing osteoporosis in the future is higher than average.

Osteoporosis is a disease in which low bone density is a key symptom. Low bone density happens when the building blocks that make your bone tissue become weaker over time. As a result, people living with osteoporosis have porous, fragile bones, leading to an increased risk of bone fractures (broken bones).

A bone density scan is also known as a bone density test, a bone mineral density test or by its medical name, a DXA test.

How does a bone density scan measure my bone strength?

A bone density scan is done using a special type of x-ray called a dual energy x-ray (DXA). The DXA measures bone mineral density. The scan gives you and your doctors information about your bone strength or fragility (weakness), and your risk of fractures. In general, the lower your bone density, the higher your risk of having broken bones in the future.

Do I need a bone density scan?

If you are at risk of getting osteoporosis, your doctor will refer you for a bone density scan. People with an average risk of getting osteoporosis include post-menopausal females aged 45 years and and males over 50 years.

People with a high risk of osteoporosis include males over the age of 60 years and females over the age of 50 years who also:

  • have a family history of a fragility fracture
  • smoke or have a high alcohol intake
  • have vitamin D deficiency
  • have low body weight
  • have recurrent falls
  • are immobile (cannot walk or do housework without help) or have low levels of physical activity

Some medical conditions can also put you at an increased risk of developing osteoporosis. If you have one of these conditions, your doctor may refer you for a bone density scan.

Health conditions include:

Taking certain medicines can also increase your risk of osteoporosis, so if you take one of the following medicines, your doctor may refer you for a bone density scan to check your bone health. These include:

  • corticosteroids
  • medicines for epilepsy
  • anti-androgen medicines or aromatase inhibitors (these are both types of hormone therapy)
  • high doses of thyroxine (for thyroid problems)
  • some antidepressant medicines

Your doctor will review all factors and assess your overall fracture risk. If you have already had a fracture, and based on your other risk factors, your doctor will work out if your risk of more fractures is higher than average. If you are, you will most likely be referred for a bone density scan.

For example, if you are over 45 years of age, and have broken a bone after a minor fall or incident (known as a ‘low-trauma fracture’), if you are a female who has gone through menopause or if you are an older male who has had a vertebral fracture (a break to one of the bones in your spine), you will likely need a bone density scan.

ASK YOUR DOCTOR — Preparing for an appointment? Use the Question Builder for general tips on what to ask your GP or specialist.

What happens during a bone density scan?

A bone density scan will usually take about 15 to 30 minutes and involves measuring the bone mineral density in your lumbar spine (the lower part of your back), hip and sometimes your forearm. Scanning your hip and spine is the best way to assess your risk of fractures in these areas and your general bone density.

During the test you will need to lie on a flat padded table while the arm of the DXA machine passes over your body. The test does not hurt; you may not feel anything at all. The radiation exposure of this test is very low.

You do not need to get undressed during the test, but you should wear loose fitting clothing. Ensure your clothing has no metal parts, such as fasteners or items in your pockets. Do not wear metal jewellery.

Results of the test will be sent to your doctor. After getting the results of your test, your doctor will tell you what treatment, if any, is recommended. If you have osteoporosis, you may need treatment with osteoporosis medicines. Your doctor may also discuss your lifestyle with you, with a particular focus on how much vitamin D, calcium and exercise you need.

What do the results of my bone density scan mean?

The result of your bone density scan is usually presented as a score called a ‘T- score’. A T- score of -1 or above is normal. A score between -1 and -2.5 means you have lower than normal bone density (osteopenia), and you may develop osteoporosis in the future. A T- score of -2.5 or below means you already have osteoporosis.

The results of your bone density scan and the scores you get will help your doctor understand your risk of having a bone fracture in the future. Based on this, they will decide what treatment is right for you to help you protect your bones.

Your doctor can use your T- score, and other information to help determine your overall risk of having a fragility fracture in general (that is, a broken bone from a minor fall), or a hip fracture in particular. This information includes:

  • the number of falls you’ve had over the last year
  • the number of fractures you’ve had since the age of 50 years
  • your age
  • your sex

If you have a higher-than-average risk of having a fracture, your doctor may prescribe you medicine for osteoporosis.

What does a bone density scan cost?

Many people are eligible for a Medicare rebate for their bone density scan.

Medicare rebates for bone density scans apply to people:

Where rebates don’t apply, you will need to pay the full amount themselves.

If you are eligible for a Medicare rebate for a bone density scan, you may repeat the test every 12 to 24 months to monitor your progress. Your doctor will tell you how often you will need to repeat the test.

How can I get my bone density checked?

You will need your doctor or specialist to refer you for a test. The doctor will assess your risk factors for osteoporosis and decide if you need to be tested. Bone density scans are widely available through most medical imaging providers (where x-rays and ultrasounds are also available), radiology centres, public hospitals and some specialist practices. Some rural areas also have a mobile bone density testing service, making this service accessible to people living in rural and regional areas.

Resources and support

Support your bone health with the following resources.

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.

Last reviewed: January 2023


Back To Top

Need more information?

These trusted information partners have more on this topic.

Top results

Bone Mineral Density Scan (Bone Densitometry or DXA Scan) - InsideRadiology

A dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan (DXA), or bone density scan, is a special type of X-ray that measures bone mineral density (BMD).

Read more on InsideRadiology website

Osteopenia and Bone Health

Osteopenia simply describes low bone density following a bone density scan (also known as a bone density test). Osteopenia is based on the result from this scan and is in the range between normal and osteoporosis

Read more on Healthy Bones Australia website

Diagnosis – Bone Health

Diagnosis How is osteoporosis diagnosed? Osteoporosis is diagnosed with a bone density scan (also referred to as bone density test or bone mineral density test or by the medical name DXA test)

Read more on Healthy Bones Australia website

Bone density testing - Better Health Channel

Most procedures that measure bone density are quick and pain-free.

Read more on Better Health Channel website

Bone mineral density tests - MyDr.com.au

Bone mineral density testing assesses the mineral content of your bones. Low bone mineral density - osteopenia or osteoporosis - makes bones weak.

Read more on myDr website

Bone markers | Pathology Tests Explained

Bone is the rigid, hard connective tissue that comprises the majority of the skeleton in humans. It is a living, growing tissue that turns over at a rate of

Read more on Pathology Tests Explained website

Know Your Bones - Self Assess Your Bone Health Now!

Online self-assessment from Osteoporosis Australia & the Garvan Institute of Medical Research.

Read more on Healthy Bones Australia website

Health checks for women - Better Health Channel

A woman at high risk of a particular disease should be checked more frequently and/or at an earlier age.

Read more on Better Health Channel website

Breaking a Bone and Bone Health

Breaking a Bone – Common Types and Rehabilitation

Read more on Healthy Bones Australia website

About Bones – Bone Health

Bone health is an important part of general health. Bones are flexible yet strong for movement and protect vital organs. When the structure of bone is compromised and becomes weaker and less dense the bone has an increased risk of breaking. This is osteoporosis.

Read more on Healthy Bones Australia website

Healthdirect 24hr 7 days a week hotline

24 hour health advice you can count on

1800 022 222

Government Accredited with over 140 information partners

We are a government-funded service, providing quality, approved health information and advice

Australian Government, health department logo ACT Government logo New South Wales government, health department logo Northen Territory Government logo Queensland Government logo Government of South Australia, health department logo Tasmanian government logo Victorian government logo Government of Western Australia, health department logo

Healthdirect Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners and to Elders both past and present.