A DEXA scan costs about $125. And if your physician prescribes a treatmen when you only have mild bone loss, you spend money you don't need to. A month's supply of generic alendronate can cost as much as $75

Bone density scanning, also called dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) or bone densitometry, is an enhanced form of x-ray technology that is used to measure bone loss. DEXA is today's established standard for measuring bone mineral density (BMD).

No calcium tablets on the day of the scan. Wear comfortable clothing with no metal zippers, buttons or clasps. No bone scan within the past 48 hours. No contrast x-ray studies such as a CT scan or IVP within three weeks of the bone scan