DEXA is the most accurate consumer-accessible body composition test — measuring lean mass, fat mass, visceral fat, and bone density simultaneously. A scale tells you weight. DEXA tells you what that weight is made of.
The Stack Analyzer maps your goals and current data to the right measurement path, protocol, and stack — in order.
Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) uses two low-dose X-ray beams to distinguish between bone mineral, lean tissue, and fat tissue throughout the body. A full scan takes approximately 10 minutes and produces:
The scale shows weight. DEXA shows whether that weight is muscle, fat, or bone — and where the fat is distributed.
$50–150 at most facilities; find at university labs, sports medicine clinics, some gyms
Extremely low — equivalent to ~3 hours of normal background radiation
10–15 minutes
Every 6–12 months; after 90-day protocol completion
Reference ranges vary by lab, age, sex, medication status, and clinical context. Use these as discussion prompts with your clinician — not as diagnosis.
BMI is a ratio of weight to height — it cannot distinguish between muscle and fat. A well-muscled 40-year-old and a sedentary 40-year-old of identical height and weight have dramatically different health risk profiles. DEXA reveals the difference.
More importantly, visceral fat — the fat stored around internal organs — is the metabolically harmful fraction. Subcutaneous fat (under the skin) carries much lower risk. Only DEXA and CT imaging can quantify visceral fat; the scale cannot.
Search "DEXA scan near me" — facilities include university exercise physiology departments, sports medicine clinics, radiology centers, and some dedicated body composition studios. Cost is typically $50–150 and is rarely covered by insurance for body composition purposes (bone density scans may be covered for qualifying women).
Use the same facility and machine for repeat scans to ensure consistent comparison.
The Stack Analyzer uses your measurements to build a personalized protocol, supplement stack, and 30-day plan.