Concierge imaging · London
Private DEXA scan in London, reported by a consultant radiologist.
Low-dose bone-density scan that measures T-scores at the hip and spine - the definitive test for osteoporosis risk and monitoring. We match you to a London centre and get your report to your GP or specialist.
Why patients choose us
- 01
The right sites, not just the standard two
We match your scan to your risk - hip and spine as standard, forearm or vertebral assessment when it matters.
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Read by a consultant radiologist
A consultant reports every scan, with T-scores, Z-scores and clear next steps.
- 03
Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What a private DEXA scan costs in London.
Indicative ranges across our partner clinics. Send the details and we quote firm figures across two or three options.
In short
Standard DEXA in our network: £180-£350; with FRAX and specialist review £350-£650.
| Scan type | Indicative range | Typical duration | Report turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard DEXA (hip + lumbar spine) | £180–£350 | 15–20 min | 24–72 hrs |
| DEXA + forearm | £220–£400 | 20–25 min | 24–72 hrs |
| Body-composition DEXA | £250–£450 | 20–30 min | 24–72 hrs |
| Paediatric DEXA (specialist) | Quoted case by case | Varies | 48–72 hrs |
| Repeat DEXA (surveillance) | £150–£300 | 15–20 min | 24–72 hrs |
| FRAX + DEXA + specialist review | £350–£650 | 45–60 min | 48–72 hrs |
Prices vary by clinic, whether the forearm or body-composition scan is added, and whether a consultant review is included. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
The problem
Bone loss is silent until something breaks.
Osteoporosis has no symptoms - the first sign is often a fracture from a low fall. DEXA is the one test that quantifies the risk before it happens, and shows whether treatment is working.
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Post-menopausal?
Bone loss accelerates after menopause - DEXA gives a personal baseline and guides HRT decisions.
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On long-term steroids?
Any prolonged prednisolone raises fracture risk substantially - a DEXA changes management.
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Previous fragility fracture?
A low-impact fracture over 50 is a red flag - DEXA quantifies the underlying risk.
The journey
From enquiry to report - what happens, in order.
One clinician from first message to explained result - often within three working days.
Phase 1 · Before your scan
Concierge, off-stage for you
Phase 2 · On the day
~20 minutes at the clinic
Phase 3 · After
Concierge, back on
- 01
Before
You tell us why you need it
A short, confidential form. Menopause, steroids, previous fracture, family history, referral or insurer if you have them.
- 02
Before
We come back with a recommendation
Within one working day: which sites to scan, which clinic, indicative price. If a scan is not the right step, we say so.
- 03
Before
We arrange the appointment
Often same or next day, including evenings and Saturdays. Insurer pre-authorisation handled.
- 04
On the day
Arrival and preparation
Comfortable clothes without metal fastenings. Jewellery and belts come off. Nothing else is needed.
- 05
On the day
The scan
You lie flat on a padded table. A low-dose arm passes above hip and spine. Painless, no injection, no tunnel.
- 06
On the day
Straight home
No recovery time. Drive, eat and work as normal.
- 07
After
Report and next steps
Consultant radiologist report in 24-72 hours, with T-scores, Z-scores and FRAX risk category. We route it to your GP or specialist.
Typical end-to-end: 2-3 days. Urgent cases: same day.
What it shows
What a DEXA scan can actually tell you.
Bone-density testing answers a specific set of questions - these are the ones we are asked most.
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Bone-density score (T-score, Z-score)
The definitive number for osteoporosis and osteopenia.
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Hip fragility
Femoral neck density predicts fracture risk best.
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Spine density
Lumbar spine density and osteoporotic vertebral change.
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Previous fragility fracture
Anyone with a low-impact fracture over 50 deserves DEXA.
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Menopause & bone loss
Post-menopausal bone loss accelerates - DEXA guides HRT and treatment.
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Long-term steroid users
Any long-term prednisolone raises fracture risk substantially.
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Athletes & body composition
Body-composition DEXA measures fat, muscle and bone by region.
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When to escalate
Multiple low-trauma fractures or very low T-scores - specialist review.
Scan types
Not all DEXA scans are the same.
What each option on your referral is actually for.
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Standard DEXA (hip + lumbar spine)
The core scan - the two sites that predict fracture risk best.
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DEXA with forearm
Added when hip or spine cannot be assessed, or in hyperparathyroidism.
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Body-composition DEXA
Regional fat, lean muscle and bone mass - useful for athletes and metabolic work.
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Vertebral fracture assessment (VFA)
A low-dose spine image to detect silent vertebral fractures alongside density.
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Paediatric DEXA
Specialist scan for children with chronic conditions affecting bone growth.
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Trabecular Bone Score (TBS)
An additional measure of bone microarchitecture from the same scan.
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Surveillance DEXA (every 1-3 years)
Repeat scanning to track response to treatment or ongoing risk.
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Combined with FRAX risk score and specialist review
DEXA plus 10-year fracture risk plus consultant guidance in one visit.
Our vetted London network
A small panel of clinics, we picked them.
Partners across central, north, west and south London. Not listed publicly - introductions are made privately, once we understand your case.
Selection criteria
How we choose every clinic in our network.
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CQC-registered, with a current good or outstanding rating
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DEXA scanners calibrated regularly to national standards
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Reported by consultant radiologists experienced in bone densitometry
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ISCD-standard reporting of T-scores, Z-scores and least significant change
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Radiation dose well below chest X-ray equivalent
Safety and eligibility
One of the lowest-dose X-rays in medicine.
DEXA delivers a tiny fraction of a chest X-ray. The practical points are what to wear, avoiding recent contrast studies, and using the same scanner for repeats.
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Very low radiation dose
About 0.001 mSv - less than a day of natural background radiation.
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Pregnancy
DEXA is avoided in pregnancy. Tell us if there is any chance you may be pregnant.
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Recent contrast or nuclear scans
Barium or nuclear-medicine scans can affect results - wait 1-2 weeks after them.
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Metal implants
Hip replacements or spinal metalwork may exclude certain areas from analysis.
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Very high or very low BMI
Extremes of body size can affect the accuracy of the density measurement.
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Consistent scanner for repeats
Where possible, we book repeat scans on the same machine for meaningful comparison.
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Painless and non-invasive
No injection, no tunnel. You lie still on a padded table for 15-20 minutes.
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What to wear
Comfortable clothing without metal fastenings, zips or hooks over hip and spine.
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Removable metal
Jewellery, belts, coins and keys are taken off before the scan.
Reading your report
A DEXA report looks technical. It isn’t.
Every DEXA report keeps to the same four parts, whatever sites were scanned.
A quiet reminder
A low T-score is a signal, not a sentence - most bone loss is treatable.
If you would like us to talk you through it before your follow-up, just ask.
- 01 Header
Your details and the indication
Your details, why the scan was requested, and any relevant history.
- 02 Technique
Which sites were scanned
Hip, lumbar spine, forearm or whole body - each answers a different question.
- 03 Findings
T-scores, Z-scores and change over time
T-score and Z-score at each site, with change from any prior scan.
- 04 Impression
The conclusion: read this first
Risk category, WHO classification, and management guidance - read this first.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Cover depends on your policy and clinic; we confirm with your insurer before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about DEXA scans.
Quick answers on cost, referrals, T-scores, repeat intervals and treatment.
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How much does a private DEXA scan cost in London?
A standard DEXA of hip and lumbar spine is typically £180-£350. Adding the forearm takes it to about £220-£400, and body-composition DEXA is £250-£450. We confirm a firm figure within one working day.
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Do I need a referral?
Most clinics accept self-referral for DEXA, particularly for post-menopausal women, long-term steroid users, and anyone with a previous fragility fracture. If a specialist consultation would help, we arrange that too.
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What do T-score and Z-score mean?
The T-score compares your bone density to a healthy young adult - it is what defines osteoporosis (T-score of -2.5 or lower) and osteopenia (between -1 and -2.5). The Z-score compares you to people your own age and sex, and matters more in younger patients.
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How often should I repeat the scan?
Usually every 1-3 years - sooner if you are starting treatment or your risk is changing, longer if the previous scan was reassuring. Your consultant sets the interval based on your results.
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How does the scan feel?
You lie flat on a padded table while a slim arm passes above your hip and spine. There is no tunnel, no injection and no noise beyond a quiet hum. Most people find it easier than a chest X-ray.
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Is the radiation safe?
DEXA uses about 0.001 mSv - roughly the natural background radiation you receive in a single day, and a small fraction of a chest X-ray. The benefit of knowing your fracture risk far outweighs the tiny dose.
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When are bone-strengthening medicines offered?
Bisphosphonates and denosumab are usually offered when the T-score is -2.5 or lower, or when 10-year fracture risk on FRAX is high. Your GP or specialist decides based on the DEXA report and your history.
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DEXA or quantitative CT?
DEXA is the international standard for diagnosing osteoporosis and monitoring treatment. QCT gives a true volumetric density and can be useful in specific cases, but delivers a much higher radiation dose and is not the routine choice.
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Can DEXA measure body composition for athletes?
Yes. A body-composition DEXA measures regional fat, lean muscle and bone in one 20-30 minute scan. It is the reference standard for tracking training and nutrition changes over time.
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When should I see a specialist?
If you have had multiple low-trauma fractures, a very low T-score, unexplained bone loss on treatment, or need help interpreting FRAX, ask for a consultant review. We can arrange it as part of the DEXA visit.