Diagnostics & Assessment
Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, a reference method for measuring fat, lean mass, visceral fat and bone density region by region.
DEXA (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) is a reference method for body composition measurement because it does something no other non-invasive technology can: it differentiates between bone mineral content, lean soft tissue, and fat mass at every region of your body with research-grade precision.
The technology works by passing two low-dose X-ray beams at different energy levels through your body. Bone, lean tissue, and fat each attenuate these beams differently, allowing the system to generate a pixel-by-pixel composition map of your entire body. The radiation dose is extremely low — approximately 1-5 microsieverts per scan, which is less than 1/10th the dose of a standard chest X-ray and roughly equivalent to the natural background radiation you absorb during a short flight.
The clinical outputs that matter for longevity: total body fat percentage (measured to within 1-2% accuracy), regional fat distribution (android vs. gynoid ratio — a powerful predictor of cardiometabolic risk), visceral adipose tissue volume (VAT — quantified in grams, not estimated), appendicular lean mass index (ALM/height squared — the diagnostic criterion for sarcopenia used in the European Working Group on Sarcopenia definition), and bone mineral density (T-scores for lumbar spine and femoral neck — essential for osteoporosis screening).
Body composition belongs in a longevity assessment for a simple reason. Muscle mass supports metabolic health, protects against falls and helps you stay independent as you age, while excess visceral fat is linked with chronic inflammation and cardiometabolic disease. DEXA gives you precise, reproducible numbers for both.
At Genoryx, your DEXA results are integrated with your biomarker panel and reviewed in a comprehensive physician consultation. We do not hand you a printout and send you home — we translate the data into a specific, actionable plan. Book a consultation with our longevity physician to schedule your baseline DEXA scan.
Backed by large studies or guidelines and part of standard practice. How we grade evidence
What it shows
DEXA measures bone density, lean mass and fat region by region, and its visceral-fat estimate agrees closely with CT.
What it does not show
Body composition changes slowly, so a single scan sets a baseline. Meaningful change shows up over months, not weeks.
In 124 adults, DEXA visceral fat agreed closely with CT measurement.
In 3,659 older adults, those in the highest quarter of muscle mass index had lower mortality.
Numbers in brackets point to the studies above. Medical review: a physician who did not write this page checks each line against the source it cites, and checks that nothing reads as a promised result. How we review
A good fit
Talk to us first
Your physician confirms at screening whether this is right for you. If anything above applies, tell us when you book.
Before you arrive
Preparation instructions, such as fasting for blood work, are sent when you book.
The test
Consent and basic vitals, then the assessment itself: 10-15 minutes (scan) + 30-minute physician review.
Physician review
A Genoryx physician takes you through the results against your history and goals.
Your plan
A written summary with clear next steps and when to retest.
Every result is reviewed with you by a Genoryx physician, against your history and goals. Results are interpreted in context, not as a stand-alone diagnosis, and anything that needs specialist follow-up is referred on.
Meet the clinical teamDEXA uses an extremely low radiation dose — approximately 1-5 microsieverts per scan. For context, a chest X-ray delivers about 20 microsieverts, and you receive roughly 7 microsieverts per day from natural background radiation. A DEXA scan is considered one of the safest imaging procedures available.
DEXA is a reference method for accuracy and also measures bone density, which InBody cannot. InBody is excellent for frequent tracking due to its speed and zero radiation. Many of our patients use both: DEXA annually for precise benchmarking and InBody quarterly for trend tracking.
DEXA scan pricing varies based on whether you need body composition analysis, bone density, or both. We provide transparent pricing during your consultation. DEXA is often more affordable than patients expect, especially compared to the diagnostic value it provides.
Evidence · Established
The fasting blood panel in the 400+ parameter entry assessment: heart, metabolic, hormone, liver, kidney and inflammatory health, read with a physician.
30-45 minutes (blood draw) + 60-minute physician consultation
Evidence · Strong & indicated
A 60-second bioelectrical impedance scan of muscle, fat, visceral fat and body water by body segment, reviewed with a physician.
60 seconds (scan) + 15-minute physician review
Evidence · Established
A cardiopulmonary exercise test of your maximum oxygen uptake, one of the strongest predictors of long-term health, with your training zones.
45-60 minutes (including warm-up, test, and cool-down)
Start with the 400+ parameter entry assessment and a 60-minute physician consultation at either Hyderabad clinic. Open seven days, 11 AM to 9 PM.
Book a consultation