Full Body Composition DEXA Scan Malta: What to Expect

When it comes to understanding your body, the number on a standard bathroom scale only tells a fraction of the story. Whether you are tracking athletic performance, undergoing osteoporosis screening during menopause, or evaluating metabolic risks, a full body composition DEXA scan in Malta at our Naxxar clinic offers the ultimate clinical precision.

What is a DEXA Body Scan?

DEXA (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) is a medical-grade imaging technology. While consumer smart scales use bioelectrical impedance analysis (which fluctuates heavily with hydration levels), DEXA scans use low-dose X-ray beams to directly differentiate and measure three core tissue compartments: bone mineral density, lean muscle mass, and body fat.

How to Prepare for Your DEXA Scan

Preparing for a DEXA scan is exceptionally simple, making it one of the most convenient diagnostic procedures available:

• Clothing: Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing without metal elements. Zippers, snaps, metal buttons, and bra underwiring can block the X-ray beams and affect regional measurements. If needed, we can provide a clinical gown.
• Diet & Hydration: There is no need to fast. However, we recommend avoiding heavy meals or high liquid intake right before the scan. To track trends accurately over time, try to replicate similar conditions (e.g., scan at a similar time of day and maintain normal hydration).
• Supplements: Avoid taking calcium supplements on the morning of your scan, as undigested tablets in the gastrointestinal tract can interfere with bone density readings.

What Happens During the Procedure?

At our state-of-the-art clinic in Naxxar, your scan is performed using the advanced Stratos pencil-beam DEXA scanner.

You will lie completely flat and relaxed on a comfortable, padded scanning table. The scanner arm will slowly pass over your body, utilizing a very low dose of radiation. The entire process is completely non-invasive, painless, and takes only 6 to 8 minutes.

What Does the Report Reveal?

Following the scan, your results are reported by a qualified consultant radiologist. Your comprehensive report includes:

• Visceral Adipose Tissue (VAT): Unlike subcutaneous fat (the fat under your skin), visceral fat wraps around your vital organs. High visceral fat is heavily linked to type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and metabolic disorders. Our scanner quantifies VAT in square centimeters (cm²), with a clinical target of keeping VAT below 100 cm² to minimize risk.
• Bone Mineral Density (BMD): Crucial for identifying osteopenia or osteoporosis early. The report calculates your T-score (comparing your bone density to a healthy young adult) and Z-score (comparing you to peers of similar age and gender) alongside a reference chart. This screening is especially vital for women approaching or in menopause.
• Regional Muscle Mass: Breaks down lean tissue in each arm, leg, and the trunk. This helps identify muscle imbalances, track rehabilitation progress after an injury, and screen for sarcopenia (age-related muscle loss).
• Android / Gynoid Ratio: Evaluates where your body stores fat, highlighting whether you have an "apple" (android) or "pear" (gynoid) distribution pattern, which directly relates to metabolic health.

Same-Day Radiologist-Reported Results

Unlike general wellness centers, LifeScan is a fully regulated medical imaging clinic. This means your DEXA scan results are not just automated numbers; they are audited and reported by a fully registered consultant radiologist.

We know that receiving clinical results quickly matters. Your formal written report is issued on the same day via email, giving you and your referring doctor, personal trainer, or endocrinologist immediate access to clear, actionable diagnostic data.