DEXA Scans
We offer DEXA scans at our Lifford Primary Care Centre.
A DEXA scan measures a person’s bone mineral density, which tells the condition of the person’s bone health. It is widely used in the diagnosis of Osteoporosis.
​
Make an appointment with your GP to discuss getting a DEXA scan if required.
What Is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a decrease in bone strength, which places a person at high risk of a bone break. It is often referred to as the ‘silent disease’ because there are no signs or symptoms prior to a fracture. Most people are not diagnosed until they have had multiple fractures. Osteoporosis is preventable in the majority of cases. For further information on Osteoporosis, please visit the Irish Osteoporosis Society.
​
DEXA scans are recommended for:
-
Women age 65 and older
-
Post-menopausal women under 65 (as they have additional osteoporosis risk factors)
-
Post-menopausal women who sustain a fracture
-
Women who have been on hormone replacement therapy (HRT/ERT) for prolonged periods
-
Men with clinical conditions associated with bone loss
-
Those with X-ray evidence of vertebral fracture
​
​
What Happens During The DEXA Scan?
A DEXA scan is like having an X-ray. It is completely painless, and it is not claustrophobic. You lie on your back for approximately 10-15 minutes while a bar moves back and forth above you.
​