Start with the reason for testing
For a bone health question, the report needs to be considered with fracture history and other clinical information. For body composition, fat and lean-tissue measurements may help describe change but do not assess every aspect of health or fitness.
Before booking, write down the decision you hope the scan will help with. If the result would not change anything, ask whether a scan is useful now. If you already have a report, an appointment to discuss it may be the more useful next step.
Healthy Bones Australia: clinical guidelines and statements ↗
Lean tissue does not measure strength
Appendicular lean mass and ALMI describe tissue quantity in the arms and legs, with ALMI adjusted for height. Older-adult sarcopenia assessment also considers strength and function. An isolated index is not a diagnosis.
Bring questions about weakness, function or unexplained weight change to your GP. For a training comparison, bring the earlier report and the conditions under which it was measured.
| Measure | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Appendicular mass (ASM) | <20 kg | <15 kg |
| ASM / height² | <7.0 kg/m² | <5.5 kg/m² |
| Grip strength (not measured by DEXA) | <27 kg | <16 kg |
The Medicare pathways at 70 and over
MBS items 12320 and 12322 include age-70-and-over bone density pathways with different T-score and frequency conditions. Other clinical indications can involve other items. Ask the clinic to check the complete descriptor rather than using age alone.
A rebate frequency limit is not a recommendation to book automatically. Agree on whether a repeat examination would inform care and who is responsible for arranging it.
Make repeat measurements comparable
Keep copies of the full reports and ask whether scanner, scan sites, software and preparation are comparable. A small numerical difference may be within measurement variation. The facility’s least significant change is more useful than a universal online threshold.
Choose a follow-up date with your practitioner. You can add a private calendar reminder from our tracking page once a date is agreed. The reminder does not book an appointment or send your measurements anywhere.
Take one clear plan away
Ask who will explain the findings, whether another appointment is required and what information to bring. Keep that plan with the report. A useful record includes the purpose of testing, not just the latest percentage or score.
BEFORE YOU BOOK
Find the right appointment.
For diagnostic bone density, start with your referring doctor. For body composition, compare what is included and who will explain the report.
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