DEXA Bone Density Scan in Leicester
At The Health Suite Leicester, we offer private DEXA bone density scanning featuring advanced Trabecular Bone Score (TBS) technology for a comprehensive evaluation of your bone quality and fracture risk. Your quick, 20-minute appointment is completely non-invasive and conducted fully clothed, with no GP referral required and free on-site parking available for your convenience. Every scan is thoroughly analysed and reported by an expert Consultant Radiologist, and should your results indicate that intervention is necessary, you will have seamless access to our specialist rheumatology services for personalised follow-up care and treatment planning.
Why bone density matters
Bone loss has no symptoms. For most people, the first sign is a fracture, and by that point a significant amount of bone strength has already been lost. A DEXA scan measures how much mineral is in your bones and compares it against expected values for your age and sex. It is the test used to diagnose osteoporosis and osteopenia, and it is the measurement that decides whether treatment is needed.
We scan the hip and lumbar spine, the two sites that matter most for fracture risk.
What your scan measures
- T-score — your bone density compared with a healthy young adult. This is the number used to diagnose osteoporosis and osteopenia.
- Z-score — your bone density compared with others of your own age and sex. Useful for identifying bone loss that has a cause beyond ageing.
- Trabecular Bone Score (TBS) — a measure of bone quality rather than quantity.
Two people can have the same T-score and very different fracture risk, because bone strength depends on internal structure as well as density. TBS looks at the texture of the bone within the spine and adds that information to the picture. It is not routinely available at most private scanning services, and it changes management in a meaningful number of cases — particularly in people with diabetes, where standard bone density can look reassuring while fracture risk is elevated.
Who should consider a DEXA scan
- Women after menopause, particularly before the age of 50
- Anyone considering, taking or stopping HRT
- Long-term oral steroid use
- A previous fracture from a minor fall
- A parent who fractured a hip
- Low body weight or a history of restrictive eating
- Coeliac disease, inflammatory bowel disease or other conditions affecting absorption
- Aromatase inhibitors or androgen deprivation therapy
- Men over 65, or younger with risk factors
- Rapid weight loss, including on GLP-1 medication
If you are not sure whether a scan is appropriate, our team can advise before you book.
What happens on the day
You will be asked a short set of questions about your health and any previous fractures. The scan itself takes 10 to 15 minutes. You lie flat on a padded table while the scanner passes over you. There is no injection, no enclosed space, and you stay fully clothed, provided you avoid metal fastenings.
The radiation dose is very low — considerably less than a chest X-ray, and roughly equivalent to a day or two of ordinary background radiation. DEXA is not suitable during pregnancy. Total time in the clinic is around 20 to 30 minutes.
Your report
Every scan is reviewed and reported by a consultant radiologist, not generated automatically by the machine. That means your images are examined for anything else of note, including signs of vertebral fracture, alongside the density measurements.
Your report is then reviewed by a THS doctor before it reaches you, so it comes with an explanation of the findings rather than raw numbers. Consultant reports are usually issued within 3-5 working days.
Your Bone Health, Our Priority
Choose The Health Suite Leicester for expert, personalised healthcare, fast access to specialists, advanced diagnostics and exceptional patient care. Our DEXA scanning is carried out on-site at our Leicester clinic on advanced GE Lunar iDXA equipment, by trained professionals, with every scan reported by a consultant radiologist. That combination gives you results you can rely on and a clear explanation of what they mean for you.
We prioritise scheduling prompt appointments while keeping your comfort and well-being at the forefront. You can book directly without a GP or consultant referral, and because our GP, rheumatology and wellness services are all under one roof, any onward care you choose can be arranged without starting again elsewhere. At our clinic, we go beyond the numbers to uncover their significance for your health. Our team delivers a thorough and clear analysis of your results, simplifying complex data into practical insights you can act on.
Looking for body fat, muscle mass and visceral fat rather than bone health? See our Body Composition Scan.
What happens after your scan
This is the part most scanning services leave unanswered. A report on its own does not take you anywhere; what matters is having somewhere to take it.
Your report is reviewed by a THS doctor, who will discuss the findings with you and what your options are. What is appropriate depends on your individual results, your medical history and your other risk factors.
Any decisions about treatment are made with you, following assessment by a clinician, and not on the basis of a scan number alone.
A recommended interval for repeat scanning
So that any change over time is measured on the same machine and is directly comparable.
A discussion of lifestyle, nutritional and medication factors
Relevant to your result, either with a THS doctor or with your own GP if you would prefer to continue your care there.
An appointment with our rheumatology service
Available at the same clinic if a specialist assessment of your bone health would be appropriate. You would not need a new referral or a further scan to be seen.
A copy of your report for your NHS GP
On request, so that your existing care is informed by the result.
What we treat
At The Health Suite Leicester, our private medical clinic offers expert care whenever you need it. Our team of experienced GPs and healthcare professionals provide personalised diagnosis and treatment for a wide range of medical conditions, ensuring high-quality, professional care in a comfortable setting.
Click below to view useful info on a few of the common conditions we treat:
Osteoporosis & Advanced Bone Loss Detection
We test for osteoporosis by measuring bone mineral density at the hip and lumbar spine. This scan identifies severe bone loss early so your clinician can implement targeted medical management to strengthen your bones and prevent future fractures.
Osteopenia & Early Bone Thinning Screening
Early bone loss happens silently without symptoms. Our DEXA scan acts as an early screening test for osteopenia before a fracture occurs, allowing you and your doctor to take proactive nutritional, lifestyle, or therapeutic steps to preserve bone density.
Bone Quality & Micro-Architecture Assessment (TBS)
Bone strength relies on quality as well as quantity. Using Trabecular Bone Score (TBS), our test measures the internal texture of the spine. This reveals hidden fracture risks that standard scans miss, particularly in individuals with conditions like diabetes.
Medication-Induced Bone Depletion Monitoring
Treatments like long-term oral steroids, aromatase inhibitors, prostate therapies, or GLP-1 weight loss drugs can thin bones. Our scan tests baseline bone strength and monitors changes over time to ensure your skeletal health stays protected during care.
Malabsorption & Risk Factor Evaluation
Conditions such as coeliac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, or low body weight limit nutrient absorption and weaken bones. This diagnostic test evaluates the impact of underlying medical conditions on your skeletal system to guide follow-up care.
many more
Our clinicians manage a broad spectrum of conditions, and individual assessment allows us to tailor care beyond the examples listed. We encourage you to book a consultation to discuss your symptoms and appropriate treatment options.
Symptom checker
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please book an appointment with us. Symptoms can vary from person to person and from condition to condition. A proper diagnosis can only be made through a thorough medical examination.
Our clinicians will carry out a full assessment to ensure an accurate diagnosis and appropriate care.
Have you broken a bone following a minor fall or low-impact trip?
Sustaining a fracture from a minor bump or fall is often the first warning sign of osteoporosis, as bone loss occurs silently without pain until a fracture happens.
Are you a post-menopausal woman, particularly if menopause occurred before age 50?
Estrogen levels drop significantly during and after menopause, leading to rapid bone loss that makes a baseline DEXA diagnostic scan essential for fracture prevention.
Have you been prescribed long-term oral steroids, cancer therapies, or GLP-1 weight loss medications?
Certain medications accelerate bone thinning or muscle loss, making regular bone density and Trabecular Bone Score testing vital to monitoring skeletal strength.
Do you have a family history of hip fractures or osteoporosis?
Genetics strongly influence peak bone mass and fracture risk. Having a parent who fractured a hip increases your personal likelihood of early bone thinning.
Do you live with coeliac disease, IBD, or a history of low body weight or restrictive eating?
Conditions affecting gut absorption or lower body weight reduce the essential minerals available to maintain dense bones, increasing your long-term osteoporosis risk.
Are you considering, currently taking, or planning to stop Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)?
HRT significantly influences bone retention. A DEXA test provides objective baseline data to guide decisions on starting, monitoring, or discontinuing hormonal therapies.
Why choose The Health Suite for DEXA Bone Density Scan
Choose The Health Suite Leicester for expert, personalised healthcare, fast access to specialists, advanced diagnostics and exceptional patient care.
Advanced Diagnostic Technology (GE Lunar iDXA & TBS)
Our test measures both bone density (quantity) and internal micro-architecture (quality) using Trabecular Bone Score (TBS), uncovering hidden fracture risks that standard scans miss.
Consultant Radiologist & In-House Doctor Reports
Every scan is individually examined and reported by a Consultant Radiologist, then reviewed with a clear explanation by a THS doctor within 3–5 working days.
Direct Access & In-House Onward Care
You can book directly without a GP referral. If your test reveals bone loss, you have seamless access to our in-house Rheumatology, GP, and wellness services under one roof.
Common Q&A about DEXA Bone Density Scan
Our FAQ section is designed to address common questions you may have, from how our treatments work to what you can expect during and after your session.
Our team is always available to provide additional support if you need more personalised guidance, ensuring that you feel informed and confident every step of the way.
Treatment options and pricing
Browse and click below to book any of our available services.
DEXA Bone Density + Trabecular Bone Score (TBS)
Hip and lumbar spine DEXA scan with T and Z scores, Trabecular Bone Score (TBS), and a consultant radiologist report. No GP referral required.
Complete DEXA Assessment
Bone density scan with TBS, full body composition analysis, and a 15-minute GP results review in one appointment. No GP referral needed.
Repeat DEXA
Follow-up bone density scan within 12 months, reported directly alongside your baseline results for accurate progress monitoring. No referral required.
DEXA GP Results Consultation
Dedicated results consultation with a THS doctor to review your DEXA scan findings, explain numbers, and discuss next steps.
Have a query about DEXA Bone Density Scan at The Health Suite Leicester?
We recognise that getting the healthcare assistance you need can be difficult. So if you have a query, feel free to contact us and one of our treatment co-ordinators will be happy to help. We aim to reply to all queries within 24 hours (Mon – Fri).