What is a body composition scan?
A body composition scan, also known as Advanced Body Composition® Assessment, uses a very small dose of ionizing radiation to measure the three main tissues of the human body: fat, lean mass and bone. Unlike a standard BMI measurement, which only accounts for excess weight, a body composition DXA scan tells the complete story — showing exactly how much fat you have, where it's located and how it compares to your lean muscle mass.
This quick, non-invasive scan is available at The Iowa Clinic West Des Moines location without a referral or physician's order.
What conditions does a body composition scan help diagnose?
A body composition scan is useful for anyone looking to better understand their overall health and weight management progress. It can help assess your risk for obesity-related conditions including:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Cardiovascular disease
- Metabolic syndrome
- Osteoarthritis
The scan is also used to monitor certain diseases such as sarcopenia and lipodystrophy, and can be a valuable tool for athletes looking to track muscle mass and the effects of training over time.
BMI alone doesn't differentiate between fat and muscle — meaning two people at the same weight can have very different health profiles. A body composition scan fills that gap.
How should I prepare for a body composition scan?
Body composition scans are quick, easy and painless, so preparation is minimal.
- Eat normally the day of your scan, but avoid calcium supplements for at least 24 hours prior to your appointment.
- Wear comfortable clothing without zippers, buttons or metal.
- Do not schedule your scan within seven days of a barium study, radioisotope injection, or CT or MRI with contrast material.
What should I expect during a body composition scan?
You'll lie comfortably on a padded table while the DXA unit passes over your body. The scan takes as little as 3 minutes, and radiation exposure is extremely low — no injections, no invasive procedures and no pain.
What happens after my body composition scan?
Results are instant. You'll receive a printed report to take home, along with a Q&A and interpretation guide, so you leave with a clear picture of your health — not just a number to follow up on later.
Your test results will include:
- % Body Fat and % Lean Mass compared against age, gender and race-matched reference data
- Regional breakdown showing where fat is distributed throughout your body
- Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) measurement, which identifies fat around abdominal organs — a key indicator of metabolic health risk.
Body composition scan details:
- Available at The Iowa Clinic West Des Moines location
- $45 — does not go through insurance
- No physician order or referral required
- Results provided immediately at your appointment
- Not interpreted by a radiologist
Why you should choose The Iowa Clinic for your body composition scan:
When you choose The Iowa Clinic, you're choosing a collaborative, connected healthcare team invested in your long-term health. Our body composition scans offer a level of insight that a standard scale or BMI simply can't provide — and with instant results, no referral needed and a flat $45 fee, there's no reason to wait to get the whole picture.