Bone density measurement

Bone density measurement (Dexa) is used to measure the amount of calcium in the bone to get an idea of the strength of your skeleton.

This technique uses low doses of X-rays. A device measures the extent to which the body lets the X-rays through. A computer calculates the average density of the bone and compares it to the normal value for age and gender.

Often the examination is used to determine whether there is Osteoporosis, a bone disorder common during menopause.

Want to know more?

http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osteoporose
http://nl.wikepedio.org/wiki/Röntgenfoto

No special preparation is required for this examination.

What do you take with you?

• Put on comfortable clothes.
• Do not wear clothing with metal in it, such as zips or buttons. Remove any (navel) piercings.
• Please bring your proof of insurance and your identification (passport or identity card).
• Please take the application letter from your GP with you.

If you prepare well, the examination will go smoothly and quickly.

What do you take with you?

• Put on comfortable clothes.
• Do not wear clothing with metal in it, such as zips or buttons. Remove any (navel) piercings.
• Leave your jewellery at home
• Please bring your proof of insurance and your identification (passport or identity card).
• Please take the application letter from your GP with you.
• Here you can find the directions to CliniX.
• It is no problem at all to take someone with you.

In the hospital

• CliniX is located at the radiology department in the Zaans Medical Centre.
• Please check in at the CliniX desk 10 minutes before the time of your appointment.
• The assistant will show you to the waiting room. Always report to the desk first and do not go directly to a waiting room because then we do not know that you are actually there.
• There are often several people in the waiting room who come for a different type of examination, so it can happen that someone who comes into the waiting room after you will be helped sooner.

The research

• A lab technician will ask you to come along and show you to a changing room.
• In the changing room, you strip off the part of your body that needs to be examined.
• Wait quietly in the changing room until you are called.
• Take off any jewellery.
• The laboratory technician will then show you how to sit on the examination table. The device, attached to an arm, moves over the area to be measured.
• An image is taken of the lower part of the back and one hip. Each measurement takes about two minutes.
• During the measurement, it is important to lie as still as possible.
• The examination is not painful.
• When all the images have been taken and are technically successful, the laboratory technician will take you back to the changing room.
• The duration of the examination is maximum 10 minutes.

Going home

• The results will be sent to your doctor or physician.
• He will contact you to discuss the results.