Referrers — Specialist DEXA Imaging for Bone Health and Body Composition

Arekai Imaging provides high-precision DEXA (Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry) assessments for bone mineral density and body composition, supporting clinical decision-making across bone health, musculoskeletal care, chronic disease management, rehabilitation, and metabolic health.

Arekai Imaging is a specialist DEXA medical imaging service focused on precision acquisition and consistency of measurement, supporting meaningful interpretation and reliable longitudinal decision-making.

We work closely with referring practitioners to ensure DEXA examinations are clinically appropriate, clearly justified, and integrated into the ongoing management of the patient.

Examinations Available

Bone Mineral Density (BMD)

• Lumbar spine
• Hip
• Forearm (where clinically indicated)
• Trabecular Bone Score (TBS), when requested and appropriate

Bone mineral density assessments are diagnostic examinations used to evaluate bone health, fracture risk, and response to treatment in line with accepted clinical guidelines.

Where requested, Trabecular Bone Score (TBS) may be provided as an adjunct to BMD to support assessment of trabecular bone microarchitecture and fracture risk in clinically relevant scenarios.

Body Composition DEXA

• Total and regional lean mass
• Fat mass and fat distribution
• Visceral adipose tissue
• Bone mineral content

Body composition DEXA provides detailed, quantitative information to support the clinical management of patients where changes in lean mass, fat mass, or body composition are relevant to care planning, treatment decisions, and longitudinal monitoring.

Referral Requirements

DEXA examinations are regulated medical imaging procedures and must be requested as part of active clinical management.

Body Composition DEXA

For body composition DEXA, referrals must include:

• Patient identification details
• Examination requested (body composition DEXA)
• Relevant clinical indications
• A clear clinical question or purpose for the examination
• Confirmation that the patient is under the referrer’s clinical management and that the DEXA information is required to inform that management

Referrals for body composition DEXA that do not contain sufficient information will require clarification prior to approval.

For body composition assessments, referrals must include a statement confirming clinical management and necessity for the examination. The following wording is acceptable:

“The patient is under my clinical management, and this DEXA body composition examination is required to inform that management.”

Bone Mineral Density (BMD)

For bone mineral density (BMD) examinations, standard diagnostic referrals with appropriate clinical indication are accepted. No additional referral wording is required beyond standard diagnostic imaging requirements.

Who Can Refer

Referrals are accepted from registered health practitioners involved in the clinical management of the patient, including but not limited to:

• Medical practitioners and medical specialists
• Accredited practising dietitians
• Accredited sports dietitians
• Physiotherapists
• Accredited exercise physiologists

If you are unsure whether a DEXA assessment is appropriate for a specific clinical scenario, our team is happy to discuss this prior to booking.

Clinical Indications for Body Composition DEXA

Body composition DEXA may be clinically useful in scenarios such as:

• Monitoring changes in fat and lean mass during significant weight loss or weight-management interventions
• Assessment of muscle loss or functional decline associated with injury, chronic disease, or ageing
• Evaluation of body composition changes where the impact on clinical outcomes is uncertain
• Longitudinal monitoring where objective body composition data informs treatment planning

The intended clinical purpose of the assessment should be clear from the referral.

Clinical Oversight

All DEXA examinations at Arekai Imaging are reviewed prior to scanning to ensure clinical appropriateness and alignment with active patient management.

Reporting and Clinical Integration

Referrers receive structured DEXA reports designed to support interpretation and clinical decision-making. Reports may include:

• Quantitative results with appropriate reference ranges
• Longitudinal comparison where prior DEXA scans are available
• Clinically relevant commentary to assist with ongoing management

Reports are designed to integrate seamlessly into multidisciplinary care.

Bookings and Enquiries

Referrals can be submitted via our online booking system or provided directly by the referring practitioner or patient.

If you would like to discuss a referral, clinical indication, or the most appropriate DEXA assessment for a patient, please contact our team.