Nottingham Ear & Scan Clinic

Expert DEXA scanning

By measuring the density of your bones, a DEXA scan can find out if you’re at risk of osteoporosis, a common condition that can lead to bone weakness or loss.

Quick, painless DEXA scanning can also detect other potential bone disorders, including osteopenia, brittle-bone disease and osteomalacia. During the procedure, you will lie flat for around 20 minutes while the scanner takes images of your spine and hip.

We offer fast, affordable access to expert DEXA scanning, with reports delivered within three working days.

Schedule Now

What is a DEXA bone-density scan?

Our quick, affordable DEXA scanning service measures bone density and strength, including spine and hip. DEXA stands for Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry, a technique used for measuring the mineral density of human bones. DEXA can find out if you’re at a higher risk of bone disorders or conditions. Fast, safe and painless, DEXA uses low levels of X-ray beams to produce detailed images of your skeletal structure. The scans are quick, safe and painless.

Why choose a private DEXA scan from Nottingham Ear & Scan Clinic

An affordable DEXA scan provides detailed images of your bones, detecting potential conditions including osteoporosis and other disorders. Early diagnosis could help to plan treatment, or prompt lifestyle choices to lessen problems in later life.

Why may I need a DEXA scan?

You may want a private DEXA scan if you have, or have had in the past, any of the following:

osteoporosis, or a family history of osteoporosis
medication that can increase the risk of osteoporosis
a fracture following a fall or injury
a family history of fractures
early menopause of hysterectomy
low body mass index (BMI <21)
an eating disorder
rheumatoid arthritis
inflammatory bowel conditions
an overactive thyroid

Are DEXA scans accurate?

A DEXA scan is considered the Gold Standard test to measure both bone density and body composition. They provide a high level of accuracy and detail about your body composition, and are the recommended imaging test for diagnosing and monitoring osteoporosis.

How does the DEXA scanner work?

When you have a DEXA scan, you will not need to go into a tunnel or have an injection. Instead, you lie on your back on a flat, open X-ray table. You'll need to keep very still during the scan so the images are not blurred.

During the scan, a large scanning arm will be passed over your body to measure bone density in the centre of the skeleton. As the scanning arm is moved slowly over your body, a narrow beam of low-dose X-rays will be passed through the part of your body being examined.

How long does it take to get results?

After your scan, a consultant radiologist will examine your images, and compile a report of their findings.

The consultant radiologist will then send your results to our team of doctors after your scan.

Your clinician will provide a post-scan consultation call to explain the results and next steps, usually within 3 days of your scan date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please reach us at 0115 837 2252 if you cannot find an answer to your question.

Do I need a GP or Self Referral?

A key benefit of booking with Nottingham Ear & Scan Clinic is that you do not need a GP referral to access our services. There is also no self-referral process. Instead, our medical team which consists of GMC registered doctors will contact you once you have made an appointment. Our doctors will ask you for all of the relevant information they need to compile a written referral on your behalf, which is then passed on to your chosen specialist diagnostic centre.

How will I received my results?

Once you have had your scan, the specialist diagnostic centre will send your results to our clinical team. They will review the imaging report and contact you to discuss the findings and any next steps to consider.

After this, your report along with digital images will be available for download via our Patient Image Portal (PIP)

Our estimated timeframe for sharing your results is between 3-5 working days of your scan, but this varies and, in many cases, can be much quicker.

What's included in the price of my booking?

A private pre-scan consultation from one of our GMC registered doctors over the phone
A written referral by a GMC registered doctor, using the information from your consultation.
An DEXA scan at your chosen specialist diagnostic centre.
A written report on your scan by a Consultant Radiologist.
Access to copies of your scan images, which are downloadable via PIP, as required.
A post-scan consultation with one of our GMC registered doctors to discuss your results

What does a DEXA scan show?

A DEXA scan measures the density of your bones and can help find out if you are at a higher risk of osteoporosis. The scan can also detect other potential bone disorders and conditions, such as osteopenia, brittle bone disease, and osteomalacia.

Is the scan noisy?

The DEXA scan is unlike an MRI scan. The scan arm will move slowly over your body and is very quiet.

How long does an DEXA Scan take?

The scan usually takes 10 to 20 minutes. You'll be able to go home after you have had it done.

Booking Policy

To secure an appointment for a private GP consultation, a non-refundable deposit of £25 is required. Unlike many providers, we do not ask for full payment for your scan at the time of booking.

If, following the consultation, the GP determines that you do not meet the clinical referral criteria, no further charges will apply.

Where a referral is made and a scan appointment is confirmed, the outstanding balance (being the full fee for the recommended scan(s), less the deposit already paid) will become immediately due.

Once an appointment has been confirmed, cancellations are not permitted under any circumstances. If you cancel or fail to attend your appointment, the full fee will be forfeited and no refund will be issued.

For more detailed information, please refer to our full Terms and Conditions.