Body composition or bone health?
If your question concerns fat mass or lean tissue, ask what the whole-body composition appointment includes and who will explain it. If your question concerns fracture risk or a bone-density finding, discuss a diagnostic examination with your GP.
A booking described as a “full body scan” does not by itself establish that diagnostic hip and spine reporting is included. Ask the provider to name the examination, regions, referral requirements and reporting process.
Reading female body composition references
The published reference groups are labelled women and men in the source studies. Their tables describe those datasets, not a universal target for every woman. Check the scanner and age group and read the percentage alongside fat mass and lean tissue.
If the source’s reference categories do not fit your circumstances, ask the clinic which database and interpretation it uses. Do not select the nearest convenient table and assume it answers an individual health question.
Before and after menopause
ISCD prefers Z-scores before menopause. It allows the WHO diagnostic criteria to be applied during the menopausal transition in the appropriate setting. Tell the referring clinician about menopause status so the report can be considered in context.
The Australasian Menopause Society explains the connection between declining oestrogen and bone loss. That does not mean every change in weight or body shape calls for a scan. Discuss the purpose of testing and what you would do with the result.
ISCD Adult Official Positions ↗
Prepare for a useful appointment
Bring the reason for referral, earlier reports and a short list of questions. Tell the clinic if pregnancy is possible and about recent imaging or implants. Ask for written preparation instructions for the particular scan.
Before leaving, confirm how the results will reach you and any referring doctor. If you want help applying a composition result to training or nutrition, ask whether that discussion is included or requires a separate appointment.
Choose a follow-up question
A practical follow-up question might be whether a change is larger than the scanner’s variation, or whether a bone finding affects the care plan. Agree on that question before scheduling another scan. Keep the original report so the next discussion can use the full context.
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.
Browse prices in all six cities ↗
Search the national scan directory ↗
Only your city choice is remembered in this browser. No location permission or email address is needed.