Diagnostic Programme

DEXA Body
Composition
at AEOM

The gold-standard measurement of body composition — referred through trusted clinical partners, interpreted at AEOM as part of your wider care

DEXA (Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry) is the clinical gold-standard for measuring body composition — providing precise data on fat mass, lean muscle mass, bone density and regional distribution that no other consumer body measurement (scales, BIA, skin folds) can match. AEOM partners with established central London clinical providers for DEXA scanning, with results returned to us and interpreted in the context of your bloodwork, goals and wider AEOM care. Coming 2027: in-house DEXA at AEOM as part of expanded diagnostic services.

Key facts strip:

£375 — DEXA scan via partner referral plus AEOM interpretation consultation
Scan delivered at partner clinic in central London (typically within 5-10 minutes of AEOM)
Results returned within 1 week, interpreted in 45-minute consultation
Non-invasive, ~10 minutes per scan, very low radiation dose

Book DEXA Programme

Speak to our team

From

£375

Downtime

None

Session

45 min

Areas

Face · Neck · Body

Results

12–18 months

Introduction

Body composition,
measured properly

Most patients have never had their body composition properly measured. Bathroom scales give you a single number (weight) that says almost nothing about what your body is actually composed of. Gym body composition machines (BIA — Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis) provide estimates with significant accuracy limitations — particularly affected by hydration status, recent food intake, and meal timing. Skin fold callipers are operator-dependent. Smart scales using BIA at home are essentially the same limitation as gym machines.

DEXA is different category of measurement. It produces precise, reproducible data on:

Total body fat percentage — with accuracy within 1–2% of laboratory criterion methods

Lean muscle mass — distinguishable from fat and bone

Bone mineral density (BMD) — the clinical gold-standard measurement, used to diagnose osteoporosis

Regional distribution — fat and muscle measured separately for arms, legs, trunk and head

Visceral fat (VAT) — the metabolically dangerous fat around internal organs, distinct from subcutaneous fat

Asymmetry — left vs right comparison, useful for athletes and post-injury patients

DEXA is the measurement used in clinical research, sports science laboratories, NHS osteoporosis screening, and serious athlete body composition tracking. For patients who actually want to know what their body is composed of — rather than receiving an unreliable estimate — DEXA is the right tool.

THE AEOM PATHWAY

How DEXA works
through AEOM

AEOM does not currently deliver DEXA scanning in-house. The capital and regulatory burden of running a DEXA service doesn't make sense at our scale, and we believe being honest about this is more important than pretending to provide services we don't. What we do is integrate DEXA into our wider clinical care through partner referral pathways with trusted central London providers.

Step 1 — Initial Consultation

You attend AEOM for a brief consultation covering:

Why DEXA is relevant for your specific situation
What you want to learn from the scan (body composition baseline, ongoing tracking, bone density assessment, athletic performance context, GLP-1 monitoring, etc.)
Selection of the appropriate partner clinic for your needs
Practical logistics — booking, location, timing

Step 2 — DEXA Scan at Partner Clinic

You attend the partner clinic for the scan itself. We work with established central London providers — typically clinical-grade imaging facilities within 5–10 minutes of AEOM. Our partner network includes:

Major private hospital imaging services in Marylebone — for patients where consultant radiologist reporting and clinical depth matters most (post-cancer patients, osteoporosis-specific concerns, patients wanting NHS-equivalent documentation)
Specialist body composition providers — for patients where body composition tracking is the primary focus (athletes, GLP-1 monitoring, weight loss tracking, longevity baseline)

The scan itself takes approximately 10 minutes. You lie still on the scanner; the system passes over you producing the imaging. Non-invasive, no needles, no contrast agent, no fasting required. Radiation dose is very low — roughly equivalent to a day or two of background environmental radiation.

Step 3 — Results Returned to AEOM

Within approximately one week of your scan, results are returned to AEOM. We review the imaging report alongside any other clinical context we have on you (bloodwork, sleep assessment, wearable data, programme participation).

Step 4 — AEOM Interpretation Consultation

The most important part. We sit with you at AEOM to walk through the findings:

Your body composition profile in detail
What the regional distribution reveals
Visceral fat status and metabolic implications
Bone density findings and what they mean for your age and sex
Comparison to relevant reference ranges and population norms
Integration with your bloodwork (particularly metabolic markers, Vitamin D, hormones)
Specific recommendations: training, nutrition, supplementation, follow-up testing
Repeat scan strategy — when (if ever) to scan again

The AEOM consultation is what turns the scan from "an interesting set of numbers" into "specific actions for your situation."

WHAT DEXA MEASURES

Inside the DEXA report

A DEXA scan produces extensive data. The clinically useful elements:

Total Body Composition

Total Fat Mass (kg) — total fat across your body
Body Fat Percentage — total fat as percentage of body weight
Lean Mass (kg) — lean tissue total (muscles and organs)
Bone Mineral Content (kg) — total mineralised bone
Total Mass — body weight derived from scan

Regional Body Composition

Body composition measured separately for:

Arms (left vs right)
Legs (left vs right)
Trunk (abdomen and torso)
Head
Android region (around the abdomen)
Gynoid region (around hips/thighs)
Android/Gynoid ratio — useful for cardiovascular risk patterns

This regional data is what makes DEXA particularly valuable for athletes (identifying asymmetries, training adaptations) and post-injury or post-surgery patients (tracking muscle recovery).

Visceral Adipose Tissue (VAT)

The critical metabolic measurement — the deep fat surrounding internal organs that carries significantly higher cardiovascular and metabolic risk than subcutaneous fat. VAT can be normal in patients with elevated total body fat, and high in patients with otherwise normal weight. DEXA measures VAT in cm² and grams.

Bone Mineral Density (BMD)

Bone density at specific anatomical sites:

Lumbar spine (L1-L4) — primary site for osteoporosis screening
Femoral neck (hip) — second primary site
Total hip
Forearm (where indicated)

Results are reported as:

T-scores — comparison to young healthy adult reference (used for osteoporosis diagnosis)
Z-scores — comparison to age and sex-matched peers
Absolute BMD values in g/cm²

For perimenopausal and post-menopausal women particularly, DEXA bone density results often drive significant decisions about HRT, weight-bearing exercise prescription, calcium and Vitamin D supplementation, and ongoing monitoring strategy.

Comparison Data

For repeat scans, DEXA reports include direct comparison to your previous scans — showing change in fat mass, muscle mass, bone density and regional distribution over time. This longitudinal tracking is where DEXA delivers significant ongoing value.

WHO IT'S FOR

Who DEXA is right for

DEXA is well-suited if you are:

Serious about body composition — wanting precise data rather than smart-scale estimates

On a structured weight loss or body recomposition journey — and want accurate baseline and progress tracking

On GLP-1 medication (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro) — DEXA is genuinely important for tracking muscle vs fat loss, ensuring you're not losing excessive lean mass alongside fat

A serious athlete or active patient — body composition data informs training, nutrition and recovery decisions

Perimenopausal or post-menopausal — bone density baseline is genuinely valuable, particularly before HRT decisions

Concerned about osteoporosis risk — family history, low BMI, prior fractures, early menopause, long-term corticosteroid use

Investing in longevity — body composition (particularly muscle mass) and bone density are major modifiable predictors of healthy ageing

Tracking post-injury or post-surgical recovery — DEXA quantifies muscle wasting and recovery objectively

On an Optimisation Membership wanting comprehensive baseline diagnostics

DEXA may not be the right test if you:

Want very frequent body composition measurement — DEXA is appropriate every 6–12 months typically, not weekly or monthly (small changes within DEXA's confidence interval are not meaningful)

Are pregnant — DEXA uses low-dose X-rays, not appropriate in pregnancy. The dose is genuinely very small (less than a transatlantic flight), but the principle of avoiding unnecessary radiation in pregnancy applies

Weigh above the scanner table limit — most DEXA scanners accommodate up to 200kg, but very large patients may not fit comfortably; we'd discuss alternatives at consultation

Want only weight tracking — bathroom scales are adequate for that; DEXA is meaningfully more expensive for less specific data

Are looking for a single-number "health score" — DEXA produces detailed body composition data, not a composite health metric

SPECIFIC USE CASES

How patients
typically use DEXA

GLP-1 Medication Monitoring

Increasingly important. GLP-1 medications (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro) produce significant weight loss — but a meaningful percentage of that loss is muscle, not fat, particularly without protein optimisation and resistance training. DEXA before starting medication, then every 3–6 months during treatment, allows objective monitoring of muscle vs fat loss. Patients losing excessive lean mass can adjust nutrition and exercise to protect muscle while continuing fat reduction. This is one of the clinically most valuable applications of DEXA in current practice.

Perimenopausal Bone Density Baseline

For perimenopausal women — particularly those approaching menopause, considering HRT decisions, or with family history of osteoporosis — DEXA bone density baseline is genuinely valuable. Bone density typically declines significantly through perimenopause and the early post-menopausal years; capturing your baseline before this decline allows monitoring of bone health and informs HRT, supplementation and exercise decisions.

Athletic Performance and Recovery

Serious athletes use DEXA for several purposes: confirming adequate lean mass for performance demands, identifying left-right asymmetries that may indicate compensation patterns, monitoring muscle quality during heavy training cycles, and confirming recovery from injury. Repeat scans every 6–12 months capture meaningful change.

Longevity Baseline

Muscle mass is one of the most predictive markers of healthy ageing — sarcopenia (age-related muscle loss) is a significant risk factor for falls, frailty and mortality. DEXA baseline in your 40s or 50s, repeated every 2–3 years, allows objective tracking of whether you're maintaining or losing muscle as you age. This is one of the more meaningful single measurements in longevity work.

Body Recomposition Tracking

For patients on structured body recomposition journeys (losing fat while gaining muscle), DEXA is one of the few measurements that can actually distinguish what's happening. Standard scales can't differentiate; BIA estimates are unreliable; DEXA shows fat and muscle changes independently. Typically scanned every 4–6 months during active recomposition.

Visceral Fat Assessment

For patients with metabolic concerns, family history of cardiovascular disease, or apparent "normal weight obesity" (normal BMI with high body fat percentage), DEXA's visceral fat measurement provides clinically useful data that other body composition methods can't approach.

THE HONEST PART

What DEXA will
and won't do

DEXA measures body composition accurately. It doesn't measure health.

A scan showing low body fat and high muscle mass doesn't mean you're healthy in all the ways that matter. Body composition is one input; bloodwork, cardiovascular fitness, sleep, stress, mental health and many other factors matter as much or more.

Day-to-day variation matters less than you might think.

DEXA's measurement precision is excellent — body composition changes within 1–2% confidence interval are at the limit of what the scan can reliably detect. If you scan and then scan again two weeks later, small differences are likely measurement variability rather than real change. Real, meaningful body composition change typically occurs over months, not weeks.

Hydration affects DEXA less than it affects BIA, but it still has some effect.

Significantly dehydrated, retaining excessive fluid, or scanned in an unusual physiological state, your results may be slightly skewed. We'd recommend scanning in a representative physiological state.

Visceral fat measurement has confidence intervals too.

DEXA's VAT measurement is the most accessible non-MRI/CT method for measuring visceral fat, but it's an estimate — not as precise as an MRI scan. For most clinical purposes, DEXA's VAT measurement is genuinely useful; for patients needing very precise visceral fat measurement, more specialised imaging would be appropriate.

Repeat scanning is genuinely useful — but not too frequent.

Six to twelve months between scans typically captures meaningful change. Scanning more often than every 3 months rarely produces useful data and adds radiation exposure (small but cumulative). Athletes and patients in active intervention periods may scan more frequently with justification.

Bone density T-scores require clinical interpretation.

Osteopenia and osteoporosis are diagnosed based on T-scores — but a single low T-score doesn't automatically mean clinical intervention. We interpret bone density results in the context of your age, sex, fracture history, family history, lifestyle, hormonal status and other risk factors.

The partner-referral model is honest pragmatism, not a limitation.

Specialist DEXA providers deliver high-quality scans with consistent reporting. We don't currently see clinical or commercial benefit to running DEXA in-house at AEOM scale. As our diagnostic services expand, in-house DEXA may become viable in 2027 — but for now, referral is the right answer.

DEXA COMPARED — HOW IT DIFFERS

DEXA vs
other body composition methods

DEXA vs BIA (Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis) Different categories of measurement entirely. BIA (the technology in InBody machines, smart bathroom scales, hand-held devices at gyms) passes a small electrical current through your body and estimates body composition based on resistance — meaningfully affected by hydration, recent food intake, time of day, and other variables. Accuracy is genuinely limited; consumer BIA devices have error margins of 3–8% or more, often higher. DEXA's accuracy is significantly better (1–2% typical error) and unaffected by hydration to the same degree. BIA is fine for rough trend monitoring at home; DEXA is the right tool for accurate measurement.

DEXA vs Skin Fold Calipers Operator-dependent — accuracy varies enormously based on the practitioner taking the measurements. With a highly trained practitioner using a validated protocol, skin folds can produce reasonably accurate estimates. With most practitioners, results are inconsistent. DEXA removes the operator variability.

DEXA vs Underwater Weighing / Bod Pod / Hydrostatic Weighing These are the laboratory-criterion methods historically used in research — but they're increasingly being replaced by DEXA in research settings because DEXA provides regional data and bone density information that the older methods can't. For most clinical purposes, DEXA is equivalent or superior to these alternatives, and significantly more accessible.

DEXA vs MRI Body Composition Whole-body MRI provides extremely precise body composition data and additional structural information that DEXA can't capture — but at significantly higher cost (£800–£3,000+ per scan), much longer scan times, and limited availability. For patients wanting MRI body composition assessment (typically as part of comprehensive whole-body screening), we'd refer to appropriate specialist providers like Prenuvo when UK availability allows. For most clinical purposes, DEXA delivers the body composition data needed at a fraction of the cost and time.

DEXA vs 3D Body Scanners (Styku, Naked Labs, etc.) Different category — 3D body scanners measure external dimensions (waist circumference, hip circumference, body shape) precisely, but don't measure internal composition (fat vs muscle, bone density, visceral fat). They're useful for shape tracking and tailoring purposes, less useful for clinical body composition assessment.

DEXA vs CT Body Composition CT scans provide the most precise body composition data available — but at significantly higher radiation dose than DEXA (a CT scan delivers approximately 50–500x more radiation than a DEXA scan). CT body composition is appropriate when patients are having CT scans for other clinical reasons; not appropriate as a standalone body composition method due to radiation exposure.

PRICING

DEXA pricing

Programme	Price	Includes
DEXA Programme	£375	Initial consultation, partner referral, DEXA scan at partner clinic, AEOM interpretation consultation (45 minutes), written summary
DEXA + Comprehensive Wellness Panel	£575	DEXA programme plus Well Person Profile bloodwork integrated into interpretation
Repeat DEXA (within 12 months)	£295	Follow-up DEXA with comparison to baseline, abbreviated interpretation consultation
Annual DEXA Series (3 scans over 12 months)	£895	For patients in active recomposition, GLP-1 monitoring, or athletic tracking

Klarna instalments available on packages and series, subject to approval.

As part of a Programme: DEXA is included or available as an add-on within:

Regenerative Performance Programme (£2,495) — DEXA baseline included
Performance Optimisation (£1,295) — available as optional add-on

Membership: Optimisation Membership (£250/month or £2,500/year) — annual DEXA included as a core member benefit.

Note on pricing: Our £375 programme price includes both the partner clinic scan fee and the AEOM consultation. Patients can also book DEXA scanning directly with various London providers at lower cost (typically £150–£250) without clinical interpretation — appropriate for patients who want raw data only. The AEOM premium reflects the integration into wider care and the clinical interpretation, not the scan itself.

COMBINE WITH

Treatments
that combine well with DEXA

DEXA + Comprehensive Wellness Panel

Body composition data plus metabolic, hormonal and inflammatory bloodwork produces a meaningfully complete metabolic picture. Patients with elevated visceral fat on DEXA plus inflammatory markers on bloodwork are in clearer clinical territory than either measurement alone.

DEXA + Nutritionist Consultation

Particularly valuable for body recomposition work. DEXA shows what your body is currently composed of; the nutritionist consultation translates that into specific nutritional strategy — protein adequacy, caloric balance, dietary pattern selection.

DEXA + Female Hormone Profile + HRT Discussion

For perimenopausal women, DEXA bone density baseline plus hormonal status provides comprehensive context for HRT decisions and bone health planning. HRT has significant positive effects on bone density; baseline DEXA before HRT and repeat 12 months later quantifies the effect.

DEXA + Wearables Baseline Review

DEXA findings integrated into the comprehensive Baseline Review report contextualises body composition data alongside lifestyle, sleep, exercise and recovery patterns.

DEXA + Performance Optimisation Programme

Athletes use DEXA as a baseline for body composition relevant to their sport, then track changes through training cycles. Combined with IV therapy, recovery work and nutritionist input, the Performance Optimisation programme delivers comprehensive athletic support.

DEXA + GLP-1 Medication Monitoring

One of the most important combinations. Patients on GLP-1 medications should ideally have baseline DEXA before starting, with repeat scans every 3–6 months to monitor muscle preservation. We can coordinate this monitoring as part of broader GLP-1 nutritional and clinical support.

Frequently asked questions

Why doesn't AEOM have a DEXA scanner in-house?

Honesty answer: the capital cost (~£60,000–£80,000 for clinical-grade DEXA equipment), the regulatory burden (IRMER compliance, radiation protection supervisor, qualified radiographers), and the relatively low utilisation in a wellness clinic context don't make in-house DEXA economically viable at AEOM's current scale. We deliver high-quality DEXA through partner referral pathways with trusted central London providers. This is the right answer operationally; in-house DEXA may become viable as our diagnostic services expand in 2027.

Which partner clinic do you use?

We work with established central London providers and select based on your specific needs. For patients where consultant radiologist reporting and clinical depth matter most (post-cancer patients, osteoporosis screening, complex bone health concerns), we typically refer to major private hospital imaging services in Marylebone — typically within 5–10 minutes' walk of AEOM. For patients where body composition tracking is the primary goal (athletes, GLP-1 monitoring, recomposition), we may refer to specialist body composition providers. We'll discuss the right partner at consultation.

Is the radiation dose a concern?

DEXA's radiation dose is genuinely very low — typically 0.001–0.005 millisieverts per scan, which is roughly equivalent to 1–3 days of natural background environmental radiation, or less than a single transatlantic flight.

For comparison, a standard chest X-ray is approximately 0.1 mSv (20–100x more), and a CT chest scan is approximately 7 mSv (1,400–7,000x more). For most patients, DEXA radiation exposure is clinically insignificant. The principle of "as low as reasonably achievable" still applies — we wouldn't recommend more frequent scanning than necessary — but the dose is not a meaningful concern for typical use cases.

Do I need a doctor's referral?

For private DEXA via the partner pathway, no — we provide the referral. For NHS DEXA (typically for osteoporosis screening with specific clinical indications), referral via your GP is the appropriate route. If you'd qualify for NHS DEXA based on clinical risk factors, we'd discuss that pathway honestly as a first option.

Can I just book DEXA directly somewhere cheaper?

Yes — and we'd recommend that approach honestly if scan-only data is what you want. Direct booking with specialist providers like Bodyscan UK or hospital DEXA services typically costs £150–£250 without clinical interpretation. The AEOM programme at £375 includes the clinical interpretation consultation and integration with your wider care — appropriate for patients who want the scan as part of broader clinical work, not appropriate for patients who want raw data only. Different services for different needs.

How often should I scan?

Depends on what you're using DEXA for. For longevity baseline tracking, every 2–3 years is typically sufficient. For body recomposition work, every 4–6 months captures meaningful change. For GLP-1 medication monitoring, every 3–6 months while on treatment. For perimenopausal bone density tracking, annually around HRT decisions then every 1–2 years thereafter. For athletes in active training cycles, every 6 months. We'll recommend appropriate cadence at consultation.

Can I have DEXA during pregnancy or breastfeeding?

DEXA is not recommended during pregnancy due to the principle of avoiding unnecessary radiation, even though the dose is very low. Breastfeeding is not a contraindication. If you're trying to conceive, DEXA is fine right up to confirmed pregnancy.

What if my BMD shows osteopenia or osteoporosis?

We'd interpret the findings carefully in context of your age, sex, fracture history, family history, hormonal status and lifestyle. Osteopenia (mild bone density reduction) is common and often appropriately managed through lifestyle (weight-bearing exercise, calcium, Vitamin D, adequate protein) plus monitoring. Osteoporosis (more significant bone density reduction) warrants clinical management — typically through your GP or a specialist, and AEOM would refer appropriately. HRT, where appropriate, has significant positive effects on bone density.

Will I lose lean mass on GLP-1 medications?

Some lean mass loss is typical without active counter-measures — published data suggests 25–40% of weight lost on GLP-1 medications without exercise and protein optimisation may be lean mass.

With structured intervention (adequate protein, resistance training, monitoring), lean mass loss can be significantly minimised. DEXA monitoring during GLP-1 treatment lets you see whether your strategy is working and adjust if needed.

Is the InBody scan at my gym the same as DEXA?

No — different technology with significantly different accuracy. InBody (and other Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis machines) estimate body composition by passing an electrical current through your body and measuring resistance. Accuracy is meaningfully limited by hydration, recent eating, time of day, and other variables — error margins are typically 3–8% or higher. DEXA's accuracy is meaningfully better. BIA is fine for rough trend tracking; DEXA is the right tool when accuracy matters.

How long does the scan take?

Approximately 10–15 minutes including positioning. The actual scan portion is 5–7 minutes during which you lie still on the scanner table.

Will my GP take DEXA results seriously?

Yes — DEXA is the clinical gold-standard for bone density assessment and is universally accepted in clinical practice. We provide reports formatted for clinical use and will share with your GP with your consent. Body composition data is sometimes less familiar to GPs (it's not part of standard NHS pathways), but the bone density findings will be immediately recognised and clinically usable.

Where is AEOM located?

Our clinic is at 116 Seymour Place in Marylebone, London.

Marylebone, Baker Street and Edgware Road stations are all under ten minutes on foot. Free street parking is available after 6.30pm, with paid bays on York Street nearby — daytime parking is reimbursed for treatments over £200. Treatments are by appointment only.

Where is the partner DEXA clinic?

Depends on the specific partner we refer you to, but typically within 5–10 minutes' walk of AEOM (most are in Marylebone). The partner location is confirmed at booking and easily accessible from AEOM either before or after your AEOM consultation.

Ready to discuss DEXA?

DEXA is one of the most useful single body composition measurements available — particularly when interpreted alongside the wider work you're doing with us. Book a DEXA programme, or speak to our team about which scenario fits your situation and which partner clinic is the right fit.