If you’ve searched “DEXA scan near me” and landed here wondering how that relates to the “bone mineral density test” your doctor mentioned — good news, you’ve found the right clinic, and the confusion makes total sense. They’re the same exam, described in two different ways by two different audiences: the public tends to search using the technical name of the machine (DEXA), while requisitions and medical charts tend to use the name of what’s being measured (BMD). In short, a DEXA scan vs BMD test comparison usually comes down to the exact same appointment, just described two different ways.

DEXA Scan vs. BMD Test: They’re the Same Exam

DEXA stands for Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry — the specific X-ray technology used to measure bone density. “Bone mineral density (BMD) test” describes what the scan actually measures. In casual conversation and online searches, “DEXA scan” is by far the more common term; in a medical requisition or hospital chart, you’ll usually see “BMD” or “bone densitometry” instead. There’s no difference whatsoever in the exam itself, the equipment used, the radiation dose, or how results are interpreted — it’s purely a difference in naming convention.

It’s worth noting that DEXA machines are also sometimes used in fitness and sports performance settings to measure body composition (fat, muscle, and bone mass) rather than for medical osteoporosis screening. That’s a related but distinct use of the same underlying technology — the version performed at a diagnostic imaging clinic like ours is specifically the medical bone density assessment ordered by your physician.

What the test actually measures

A BMD/DEXA scan uses a very low dose of X-ray — far lower than a standard chest X-ray — to measure how much calcium and other minerals are packed into a segment of bone, usually the hip and lower spine, and sometimes the forearm. Your results are reported as a T-score, which compares your bone density to that of a healthy young adult of the same sex, and sometimes a Z-score, which compares you to others your own age. A T-score helps identify osteopenia (early, mild bone loss) or osteoporosis (more significant bone loss associated with higher fracture risk) well before a fracture actually happens — which is the whole point of screening in the first place.

Who should get tested

Based on current Osteoporosis Canada guidelines, testing is generally recommended for:

• Everyone 70 years of age and older, regardless of other risk factors
• Postmenopausal women and men aged 65–69 with at least one fracture risk factor
• Adults 50–64 with a previous low-trauma fracture (a fracture from a fall from standing height or less) or two or more risk factors, such as a parental hip fracture, current smoking, low body weight, prolonged steroid use, or early menopause before age 45
• Younger adults with a medical condition or medication known to cause bone loss, including rheumatoid arthritis, chronic steroid use, malabsorption disorders, or early menopause

Routine testing under age 50 isn’t usually recommended without one of these specific risk factors present — your doctor can help determine whether earlier testing makes sense given your individual history.

How to prepare

No fasting is required for a BMD/DEXA scan. Avoid calcium supplements for about 24 hours before your appointment, since they can occasionally interfere with imaging accuracy in rare cases. Wear clothing without metal zippers, buttons, or buckles around your waist and hips, since metal can obscure the images, and bring your requisition when you check in.

What happens during the scan

You’ll lie down on an open table while the scanner arm passes slowly over your hip and lower spine, taking just a few minutes per area. There’s no enclosed tunnel or claustrophobic component, unlike an MRI, and the radiation exposure is extremely low. Most appointments, including check-in, are completed within 20–30 minutes.

How often should you be retested?

For most patients with normal or mildly reduced bone density, retesting every 2–3 years is typical, though your doctor may recommend a different interval based on your individual risk factors, medication changes (for example, starting osteoporosis treatment), or previous results.

Understanding your T-score

Your T-score result is generally interpreted using the following ranges: a T-score of -1.0 or above is considered normal bone density; between -1.0 and -2.5 indicates osteopenia, or early, mild bone thinning; and -2.5 or below indicates osteoporosis. It’s worth remembering that a T-score is just one piece of the puzzle — your doctor will also weigh your fracture history, age, and other risk factors when deciding on a treatment plan, since two people with an identical T-score can have quite different overall fracture risk.

Lifestyle factors that support bone health

While a BMD test itself doesn’t change your bone density, understanding your results often becomes the starting point for a broader conversation with your doctor about bone health. Weight-bearing exercise, adequate calcium and vitamin D intake, limiting alcohol, and quitting smoking are all commonly discussed strategies for supporting bone strength, alongside any medication your doctor may recommend based on your specific results.

A T-score of -1.0 or above is considered normal bone density; between -1.0 and -2.5 indicates osteopenia; and -2.5 or below indicates osteoporosis.

Book your bone density test

Annex Medical Imaging performs BMD (DEXA) testing at our Toronto location, a 1-minute walk from Bathurst Station, with results sent to your referring provider within 24–48 hours.