DEXA Scan Side Effects: What You Need to Know

Worried about side effects from a DEXA (DXA) scan? You’re not alone. The good news: for most people, a DEXA is fast, painless, and uses an ultra‑low radiation dose.

Quick answer for peace of mind:

• Most people have no side effects during or after a DEXA.
• Whole‑body DEXA radiation is typically about 4–5 µSv—roughly half a day of natural background radiation that you experience in daily life (a 2020 scientific review; IAEA).
• No downtime. Skip only if you’re pregnant or think you might be.

A Note on BodySpec’s Services: BodySpec offers DEXA body composition scans (fat, lean mass, visceral fat, and whole‑body bone metrics). We do not perform diagnostic hip/spine bone‑density scans used to diagnose osteoporosis.

Key facts on DEXA scan side effects

• No needles, no contrast dye, no anesthesia.
• Most people feel nothing during or after the exam.
• You’ll lie still for a few minutes and may briefly hold your breath; a few people notice mild stiffness from positioning.
• The radiation dose is extremely low—far less than a chest X‑ray and a small fraction of annual background radiation (RadiologyInfo.org; IAEA).
• You can breastfeed normally after DEXA; there is no radiation “transfer” to others post‑scan (IAEA).

What you might experience (and what you won’t)

• Painless, open table: You’ll lie on a padded table while a scanning arm moves above you. No tunnel, no loud noises, and no injections (RadiologyInfo.org).
• Brief breath holds: You may be asked to hold your breath for a few seconds to keep images sharp (CDC).
• Mild positioning discomfort: A foam block may support your legs to help you lie comfortably. Any mild stiffness resolves as soon as you change position (RadiologyInfo.org).
• No downtime: You can return to normal activities right away (CDC).

What you won’t experience: sedation, contrast reactions, claustrophobia from a closed tube, or post‑scan restrictions.

Radiation dose, simply explained

DEXA uses a very small amount of ionizing radiation. How small?

• Whole‑body DEXA for body composition: typically about 4–5 µSv—roughly half a day of natural background radiation (a 2020 scientific review; IAEA).
• Diagnostic hip/spine DXA: often <1–15 µSv, depending on the system and settings (IAEA).

How DEXA compares to everyday exposures

Sources: a 2020 scientific review; IAEA.

For more context and comparisons, read: DEXA Scan Radiation: How Much Is It and Is It Safe?

Who should postpone or discuss special situations?

• Pregnancy: Elective DEXA is generally deferred during pregnancy due to ionizing radiation. Tell your technologist if you are or might be pregnant (RadiologyInfo.org; CDC).
• Recent contrast studies: If you recently had a barium exam, contrast CT, or nuclear medicine test, the technologist may advise you to wait before DEXA to avoid artifacts (RadiologyInfo.org).
• Implants and hardware: Metal joint replacements or surgical clips can create artifacts in nearby regions; they don’t pose a safety issue, but your report should note them (StatPearls).
• Weight limits and positioning: Some scanners have weight/size limits. At BodySpec, our storefront scanners accommodate up to 450 lbs, and our mobile vans accommodate up to 350 lbs. If you can’t lie flat or still, talk with the technologist ahead of time (StatPearls).
• Pediatrics: When medically indicated, pediatric DEXA uses low doses and is considered safe; clinicians typically space scans months apart and ensure justification (IAEA).

Do you need a lead apron?

No. Lead aprons don’t meaningfully reduce the tiny internal scatter from a DEXA exam and can degrade image quality. Standard practice is not to use shields for DEXA (IAEA).

Side effects vs. limitations: what can affect results

These aren’t side effects, but they can impact accuracy—so they’re worth knowing:

• Clothing and metal: Zippers, belts, and underwires can create artifacts on the images. To prevent this, wear light, metal‑free clothing and remove jewelry and accessories (RadiologyInfo.org).
• Hydration and heavy workouts: Significant dehydration can temporarily lower the lean‑mass reading, while post‑exercise inflammation and fluid shifts can temporarily raise it. Keep hydration and training routine consistent for best comparisons across visits (StatPearls).
• Large meals right before your scan: The weight of undigested food and fluid can be counted as lean mass, slightly altering your percentages. Stick to your usual routine and meal timing to keep results consistent across scans.

For a step‑by‑step prep checklist, see: Prepare for Your BodySpec Scan.

FAQs: Clearing up common concerns

Does a DEXA scan cause cancer?
The radiation dose from a DEXA scan is extremely low, and no direct evidence links it to cancer. While any X‑ray carries a very small theoretical risk, DEXA doses are among the lowest in medical imaging, and the benefits of justified scans far outweigh the risks (RadiologyInfo.org; IAEA).

Is DEXA safe if I’m trying to conceive?
Yes—DEXA scans are widely considered safe for individuals who are trying to conceive, provided you are not currently pregnant. If you could be pregnant, defer elective imaging. There’s no evidence that the tiny doses from DEXA affect fertility; discuss timing with your clinician if you’re undergoing fertility treatment (RadiologyInfo.org).

Can kids get DEXA?
Yes—DEXA is safe for all ages. At BodySpec, minors can receive body composition scans, but a parent or guardian must be present during the appointment. For diagnostic medical bone-density scans, pediatric protocols keep doses low; clinicians balance justification, benefits, and timing (IAEA).

How many scans are safe per year?
From a dose perspective, even multiple DEXA scans total a small fraction of annual background radiation. A common interval for tracking body composition is every 8–12 weeks; for diagnostic bone‑density monitoring, intervals are usually longer and set by your clinician (IAEA; CDC). For timing guidance, see: When to Get a DEXA Scan (and How Often).

Do I need to prep in any special way?
For BodySpec wellness scans, wear light, metal‑free clothing and inform the technologist about any recent contrast imaging (RadiologyInfo.org). For a quick checklist, see: Prepare for Your BodySpec Scan.

Will a DEXA scan affect breastfeeding?
No. You can breastfeed normally after DEXA; there’s no post‑scan radiation risk to others (IAEA).

Bottom line

• Immediate side effects from DEXA are uncommon—most people feel nothing at all during or after the test.
• Radiation dose is very low—about 4–5 µSv, comparable to half a day of natural background exposure.
• Postpone if you’re pregnant or recently had contrast imaging, and remove metal for clean images.
• For wellness tracking, scan every 8–12 weeks.

Ready when you are— book your BodySpec scan and get clear, actionable data with negligible radiation exposure.