Making an appointment for DXA body composition scanning
Opening hours and bookings
We offer scans each day, generally between 10am–3pm. To book a scan, email us to request an appointment.
Email crc@otago.ac.nz
Initial appointments take about 20 minutes, with the whole body composition scan with the DXA machine taking 3 minutes. The consultation includes our technician taking you through all the information on the report for you to take home. Review appointments take around 15 minutes.
There is no specific preparation required but we recommended that you do not engage in excessive exercise prior to your scan. Follow-up scans will have greater accuracy if you have a similar day's activity to your initial scan.
Your initial scan is $150 and follow-up scans are $100.
Gift vouchers
We offer gift vouchers for appointments. There is no expiry date on our gift vouchers. To purchase a gift voucher, contact:
Email crc@otago.ac.nz
Location
We are at Wellington Regional Hospital, Newtown. Our reception desk is located on Level J of the Ward Support Block.
From the underground carpark, take the Red lift to level 3, turn left and follow the orange line on the floor to the Ward Support Block (WSB) Blue lifts. Take the Blue lift up to level J.
If you take the Orange lifts from the carpark to Level 2 of the hospital, turn right and follow the orange line, turn left before the Emergency Department, go up the stairs to level 3 and go straight ahead you will find the orange line on the floor then continue as above.
Transport
There are many bus routes that pass very near to the hospital, including a number of bus services from the railway station. Buses are frequent during the day. You can search for Wellington Hospital on the Metlink website to find a bus service.
There is easy cycling to and from the city centre and many suburbs, and we have plenty of bike parking in front of the University building.
There are a few carparks available outside the University of Otago, let us know if you require one. There is also on-street parking or paid parking in the Hospital car park.
Payment for appointments
Your initial scan is $150 and follow-up scans are $100.
Payment is due in full at the first appointment. We accept EFTPOS and credit card.
DXA body composition scans are not claimable from your private health insurance.
We offer gift vouchers for appointments. There is no expiry date on our gift vouchers.
Suitability for DXA body composition scanning
You need to be 18 years or over for a DXA body composition scan. You do not need a referral from your health practitioner.
We do not offer DXA body composition scanning if you are pregnant or breastfeeding due to the small amount of radiation involved.
You also need to wait 12 weeks between DXA body composition scans, and can have a maximum of four DXA body composition scans a year.
If you have a question, please contact us:
Email crc@otago.ac.nz
Radiation safety of DXA body composition scanning
Radiation safety is important and we have in place a Radiation Management Plan which includes a Justification and Approval of Medical Radiation Procedures involving DEXA Scanning document.
A DXA body composition scan produces a low dose of radiation in the form of X-rays. You will only be exposed to 1–4 µSv (microsieverts) of radiation, by comparison a chest x-ray is 40–50 μSv, and a trans-tasman flight is 12 µSv.
You also need to wait 12 weeks between DXA body composition scans and can have a maximum of 4 DXA body composition scans a year.
If you are concerned for your health and safety regarding radiation exposure, please contact us:
Email crc@otago.ac.nz
You can also discuss this with your General Practitioner and/or medical specialist.
Your DXA scan results
DXA body composition scans measures fat mass, muscle mass, and total bone density for the whole body, waist and hip region, arms, legs and trunk. Absolutely no other body composition method can provide these regional values for body fat distribution.
DXA body composition scanning is often referred to as the “gold standard” method for fat mass, muscle mass, and total bone density. Scientific evidence shows that DXA has the highest level of accuracy, precision and reliability when used to scan body composition and bone density over time with repeat scanning.
We are able to identify with a high level of confidence 200–300g tissue change in body fat and lean muscle based on our technology and software, calibration methods, client preparation and scanning protocols and procedures.
DXA body composition scan report
Your DXA body composition scan report will contain a vast array of information including visual images your body.
The report details the amount of fat mass, muscle mass, and bone density for the whole body, waist and hip region, arms, legs and trunk and the percentage of fat across your body. The report will show you how you compare to people in your age group.
If you get multiple scans over a period of time, the report will show all your values over time and a visual comparison of those changes. See our sample report: