Thursday, 9 July 2026

Read a DEXA Report in 5 Seconds: Just Look at the Assessment & Color Coding

 

Many patients and even busy clinicians don't have time to analyze every number on a DEXA report. That's why we designed our report with a simple Assessment Summary and color-coded T-scores that make interpretation almost instant.

Step 1: Go Straight to the Assessment Section

The Assessment page provides a plain-language summary of each measured site:

  • Spine (L1–L4): Normal
  • Left Femur Neck: Relatively Low
  • Left Femur Total: Normal
  • Right Femur Neck: Normal
  • Right Femur Total: Normal
  • Forearm: Normal

Instead of searching through tables and reference values, the report already tells you whether each region is normal or requires attention.

Step 2: Use the Color Coding

The T-score color index on the left side of the report allows instant interpretation:

Green – Normal
T-score ≥ -1

Yellow – Relatively Low (Osteopenia)
T-score between -1 and -2.5

Red – Markedly Low
T-score between -2.5 and -4.0

Pink – Severe Low Bone Density
T-score < -4.0





Example from This Report

  • AP Spine T-score: +1.0 Normal
  • Left Femur Neck T-score: -1.1Relatively Low
  • All other sites: Normal


At a glance, you can immediately identify that the only area requiring attention is the left femoral neck, while the rest of the skeleton demonstrates normal bone density.

Why This Matters

Traditional DEXA reports often require reviewing multiple tables and reference ranges. By combining:

A concise Assessment Summary
Clear color coding
Automatic classification

the report can be understood in less than 5 seconds, allowing faster clinical decision-making and easier patient communication.

Bottom line: If the report is mostly green, bone density is generally normal. Any yellow, red, or pink area immediately highlights where follow-up, monitoring, or treatment considerations may be needed.

 

Friday, 5 June 2026

Read Your Whole Body DEXA Report in 5 Seconds

Whole Body DEXA provides a complete picture of your body composition. To quickly understand the report, focus on three key measurements:

1. Total Body Fat (%)

Shows how much of your body weight is fat.

Normal Range

  • Men: 10–24%
  • Women: 20–31%

Higher values indicate excess body fat and increased metabolic risk.


2. VAT/SAT Ratio

Compares Visceral Fat (VAT) around internal organs to Subcutaneous Fat (SAT) under the skin.

Interpretation
< 1.0 – Favorable

1.0–2.0 – Increased visceral fat

> 2.0 – High visceral fat burden

Higher VAT is associated metabolic risk and cardiovascular disease.


3. ASMI (Appendicular Skeletal Muscle Index)

Measures muscle mass in the arms and legs relative to height.

Normal Range

  • Men: ≥ 7.0 kg/m²
  • Women: ≥ 5.5 kg/m²

Lower values may indicate reduced muscle mass (sarcopenia).


Quick Interpretation

Parameter

        What It Tells You

Total Fat %

         Overall body fat

VAT/SAT Ratio

         Metabolic risk

ASMI 

         Muscle health




Example Report

  • Total Fat: 29.8% ↑
  • VAT/SAT Ratio: 2.18 ↑
  • ASMI: 7.2 kg/m²

Summary: Normal muscle mass with increased body fat and elevated visceral fat. By reviewing these three numbers, most Whole Body DEXA reports can be understood in less than 5 seconds.