Why We Use DEXA Scans in Concierge Medicine (And Why They Matter More Than the Scale)

Why We Use DEXA Scans in Concierge Medicine (And Why They Matter More Than the Scale)

Dr. Jeff Kindred, DO

When most people think about body composition or bone health, they think about weight, BMI, or maybe osteoporosis screening later in life.

But those tools miss the bigger picture.

At Hi, Finch Health, we use DEXA scans as part of our concierge diagnostic approach because they give us clear, actionable insight into how your body is aging—not just what the scale says.

DEXA isn’t about vanity.
It’s about strength, resilience, and long-term healthspan.

What Is a DEXA Scan?

A DEXA (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) scan is a low-radiation imaging test that provides highly accurate measurements of:

  • Bone mineral density

  • Lean muscle mass

  • Fat mass

  • Visceral fat (the fat surrounding your internal organs)

The scan is quick (usually under 10 minutes), painless, and far more informative than traditional metrics like BMI or body weight.

Bone Density: More Than Just Osteoporosis Screening

Bone density often gets framed as something to worry about later in life—but bone loss begins earlier than most people realize.

Why this matters:

  • Bone density is closely tied to fracture risk and independence as we age

  • Loss of bone often parallels loss of muscle and strength

  • Maintaining bone health requires early awareness, not reactive treatment

DEXA allows us to establish a baseline and track trends over time—so we can intervene early with strength training, nutrition, lifestyle changes, or medical therapy when appropriate.

Lean Muscle Mass: A Critical Predictor of Aging Well

Muscle is one of the most important—and underappreciated—determinants of long-term health.

Loss of lean muscle mass is associated with:

  • Decreased strength and mobility

  • Higher injury risk

  • Worsening metabolic health

  • Increased risk of disability with aging

DEXA gives us precise data on total and regional muscle mass, allowing us to:

  • Identify asymmetries or early muscle loss

  • Guide strength and resistance training recommendations

  • Track whether your training and nutrition strategies are actually working

This is especially important for busy professionals who want to maximize the return on the time they spend exercising.

Visceral Fat: The Hidden Risk Factor

Visceral fat—the fat stored around your organs—is one of the strongest predictors of cardiometabolic disease.

High visceral fat is linked to:

  • Insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes

  • Cardiovascular disease

  • Inflammation

  • Fatty liver disease

The key point:
You can look “healthy” and still carry excess visceral fat.

DEXA allows us to measure visceral fat directly, rather than guessing based on waist circumference or BMI. This helps us identify risk early and track improvement over time.

Why Yearly Tracking Matters

Single data points are helpful—but trends are powerful.

At Hi, Finch Health, DEXA scans are performed annually as part of our concierge membership so we can:

  • Monitor changes in muscle, bone, and fat over time

  • Adjust training, nutrition, or medical strategies proactively

  • Catch unfavorable trends before they become clinical problems

This is a core principle of Medicine 3.0:
Track what matters, early and consistently.

How We Perform DEXA at Hi, Finch Health

DEXA scans are performed by a certified exercise physiologist we’ve partnered with to ensure high-quality testing and consistent methodology.

Your results are then reviewed with Dr. Kindred, placed into the broader context of:

  • Labs and metabolic health

  • Fitness and activity level

  • Injury history

  • Lifestyle factors

  • Long-term goals

The goal isn’t just information—it’s interpretation and a clear plan.

Who Benefits Most from DEXA Scanning?

DEXA scanning is especially valuable for people who:

  • Want to age well and stay strong long-term

  • Are focused on prevention, not just treatment

  • Care about metabolic and cardiovascular health

  • Are training regularly and want objective feedback

  • Want to avoid “guessing” about body composition changes

You don’t need to be an athlete to benefit.
You just need to care about your future health.

DEXA as Part of a Bigger Picture

DEXA scans don’t replace good clinical care—they enhance it.

Combined with labs, fitness assessment, VO₂ max testing, and an ongoing physician relationship, they help us answer the question that matters most:

“Where is your health headed—and what can we do now to improve that trajectory?”

If this interests you and you'd like to learn more about our concierge medicine membership you can click the link below. 

BOOK YOUR INTRODUCTORY CONSULTATION WITH DR. KINDRED HERE

References

  1. National Osteoporosis Foundation. Bone Density Testing.
    https://www.nof.org/patients/diagnosis-information/bone-density-examtesting/

  2. Shepherd JA, et al. Body composition by DXA. Journal of Clinical Densitometry.
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23588259/

  3. Bredella MA. Visceral adipose tissue and metabolic risk.
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26093607/

  4. Li R, et al. Associations of Muscle Mass and Strength with All-Cause Mortality among US Older Adults. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2018 

 

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