Second Dexa scan

[LBM1953]

Hi All. My GP referred me for an urgent Dexa scan last June but when I chased it down was told it would be a year at least, so went private. Results all OK. I now have been referred for one on the NHS in two week time. I am told that It is safe to have one within this period (just over a year) as the radiation levels are very low. GP says to go for it but she couldn't comment on the safety issue(s). Any advice/opinions? Regards. LBM1953

[PMRpro Ambassador]

No safety problems at all - but you can't compare the results directly as they will have been done on different machines.

The NHS says:

"The amount of radiation used during a bone density scan is very low and less than 2 days' exposure to natural background radiation (NBR). By comparison, a chest X-ray uses the equivalent of about 3 days' exposure to NBR, and a flight to North America is equivalent to approximately a week's exposure to NBR."

It would be interesting - I'd take it to see of there have been any dramatic changes.

[LBM1953 in reply to PMRpro]

Great advice (as always) 👍😀

[SheffieldJane]

I would definitely go. This is not dangerous and will be useful information for your on-going treatment. I had my third a few weeks back. Results seem slow in coming - 6 weeks for me.