Find the header before interpreting a value
Look for manufacturer, model, software and scan date. Check the examination type and region. Those details tell you whether an online reference is even a reasonable comparison. A report can contain more than one type of percentage or regional measurement.
The two schematics below show the order of questions to ask. They do not claim to reproduce the manufacturer’s exact page layout or convert results between systems.
- Scanner and software
Start here. The model and analysis software determine which references and units apply.
- Fat, lean tissue and BMC
Check whether each value is a mass, a percentage or a combined compartment.
- Arm and leg regions
Regional lean tissue contributes to appendicular lean mass. Positioning and boundaries matter.
- Visceral fat field
Identify mass, volume or area. GE and Hologic values are not interchangeable.
- Bone and reference notes
Check the scan site and reference database. Whole-body composition is not a diagnostic hip/spine assessment.
Read units before colours or flags
A kilogram value, a percentage and an index adjusted for height answer different questions. For visceral fat, reports may use mass, volume or area. An area value cannot be compared directly with a mass value because both happen to carry the VAT label.
If the report includes a colour band or percentile, find the reference population and direction. A population ranking is not a personalised goal. Ask the clinic to identify the comparison it uses rather than relying on a chart from another scanner.
Use the full example alongside this walkthrough
Our interactive example follows one invented profile: a 42-year-old woman, 168 cm tall, with 68 kg total scanned mass. The 24.5 kg fat, 41 kg lean tissue and 2.5 kg bone mineral content add to that total. The example is for practising the arithmetic and reading the labels.
Those values are not transferred into the Hologic schematic. A different scanner does not become comparable by renaming the header. The example’s clinical context also cannot establish what another person’s result means.
What to keep with the report
- The complete original file, not only the headline percentage.
- Scanner and software details, date and preparation notes.
- The exact region and units for any number you are tracking.
- The practitioner’s explanation and agreed next step.
Common questions
Are these real patient reports?
No. They are original educational schematics. The interactive profile is invented and is not a suggested target.
Will my report look exactly like this?
No. Layout, software and included measurements vary. Use the diagrams to locate types of information, then ask your clinic about its report.
Can I convert GE values to Hologic using this guide?
No. The guide does not provide a conversion. Keep scanner families and reference tables separate.
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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