Dexa scan tomorrow

Hi all, got my dexa scan tomorrow and just read that any metal from waist down should be removed(not that I got any). So does this mean the scan only scans from waist down? Do I need to remove necklace, earrings etc not wear underwire bra? Or does it not scan above waist?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It includes the lumbar area vertebrae. It will depend on the operator though - some want you to remove more than others.

spine-health.com/video/lumb...

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

See the link in post - explains

[Koalajane]

I had to remove my bra I think but that was all

[Fimckenz]

I wore a sports bra and removed all jewellery.

[Sophiestree]

Due to the fact I have had 18 scans of various types in the last 13 months I go prepared as it is so much easier. I wear clothes with no metal and a night bra, take all of my jewellery off at home including rings, necklace, bracelet etc, that way there is no hanging around and you don't have to get into a gown and all you have to do is slip your shoes off.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Sophiestree]

And I have no doubt the technologists love you for being so thoughtful! It's like the blood clinic - patients sit in a waiting room that resembles the tropics in terms of temperature for ages - and make no preparation at all. Then have to remove coat, cardigan/sweater, roll up sleeve or take the shirt off before the phlebotomist can even look for a vein.

[Sophiestree in reply to PMRpro]

Yes! I see it all the time. Having bloods taken almost daily I made sure I wore easy clothes to roll my sleeve up, coat off, and have my stickers ready in hand. In and out...They knew me by my first name

😂

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Sophiestree]

Embarrassing when almost everyone you meet in the hospital knows you by sight isn't it!!! Summer is easy here of course but in winter I wore a short sleeved shirt and a thick padded winter coat similar to a ski jacket. If it was REALLY cold then I added a cardigan.

[Sophiestree in reply to PMRpro]

I do remember my mother telling me once when she did clinics, that a gentleman of no fixed abode came in with a problem with his foot. When she asked to compare his feet it turned out he had only washed the one problem foot. Poor poor man, I felt so bad for him when she told that story and have never forgotten it.

[Nannie-C]

If you take a calcium supplement don’t take it on the day of the scan as can skew the result in some cases.

[Hidden in reply to Nannie-C]

No one told me not to take caluim so took it and wasn't asked either

[HeronNS in reply to Hidden]

How can that be as they are picturing bones? I do understand about not taking supplements like iron. etc., before blood tests, which I did not know until recently!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to HeronNS]

The calcium thing is calcium tablets - which MIGHT not have dissolved and MIGHT be in line with the beam and so give a false reading.

[Hidden]

Well had dexa yesterday had remove all jewellery before left home, wore leggings t shirt sport bra so the only metal I had was for laces on shoes and I think they were plastic painted silver but still had to put undress apart from knickers and put hospital gown on, so I think every hospital it different, results will be in my gp within 7 days- to 6 wks