Local Guide — Park Ridge, IL
DEXA BODY COMPOSITION SCANS IN PARK RIDGE
Know exactly what you're made of. Body fat, lean muscle by region, visceral fat, bone density—measured with medical-grade precision.
WHAT YOUR SCALE CAN'T TELL YOU
Your scale tells you one number: total weight. That number says nothing about what's actually changing inside your body.
The Scale Problem
You can lose 10 lbs of muscle and gain 10 lbs of fat and your scale says nothing changed. You can gain 5 lbs of muscle and lose 5 lbs of fat and your scale says nothing changed. Weight alone is useless for tracking real progress.
Smart Scales & InBody
Bioelectrical impedance (what smart scales and InBody use) estimates body composition based on how electricity passes through your body. Hydration, meals, and exercise can swing results 3-5%. That's noise, not data. See our full comparison.
DEXA: The Gold Standard
DEXA uses dual-energy X-ray to directly measure fat, lean tissue, and bone. Less than 1% error between scans. It shows you exactly where fat and muscle are distributed—not just a single body-fat number.
WHAT YOUR DEXA REPORT SHOWS
Total Body Fat %
Your overall body fat percentage, measured directly—not estimated. The most accurate reading available outside of a research lab.
Regional Muscle Mass
Lean mass in each arm, each leg, and your trunk. Identifies imbalances and tracks muscle gain from training or TRT.
Visceral Adipose Tissue (VAT)
The fat around your organs—the most dangerous kind. Strongly linked to metabolic disease, diabetes, and cardiovascular risk. No other consumer method measures this accurately.
Bone Mineral Density
Identifies osteopenia or osteoporosis risk early. Important for women post-menopause and men on certain medications.
Fat Distribution Map
See exactly where your body stores fat. Android (belly) vs. gynoid (hip/thigh) distribution has different health implications.
Scan-to-Scan Tracking
Compare scans over time to see exactly how many pounds of fat you lost and muscle you gained. Real data, not guesswork.
HOW WE USE DEXA AT MOONSHOT
GLP-1 Weight Loss Programs
GLP-1 medications cause weight loss—but not all weight loss is good. Without tracking, 30-40% of the weight you lose on semaglutide or tirzepatide can be muscle. DEXA lets us ensure you're losing fat and preserving lean mass. That's the difference between a smaller version of the same problem and actual metabolic improvement.
Testosterone Optimization
TRT should build muscle and reduce body fat. But how do you know it's working if you're only checking labs? DEXA confirms whether your protocol is translating into real body composition changes—or whether something needs adjustment.
Fitness & Performance Tracking
For athletes and serious fitness enthusiasts, DEXA provides objective data on training progress. No more guessing if your program is working. See exactly how much muscle you've added and where.
TRANSPARENT PRICING
DEXA Scan
$150
Standalone body composition scan
DEXA + Blood Panel
$405
Complete diagnostics bundle
No referral needed. No insurance required. HSA/FSA accepted.
LOCATION & ACCESS
Moonshot Medical and Performance
542 Busse Hwy
Park Ridge, IL 60068
- No referral needed — book directly online
- On-site DEXA scanner — no hospital visit required
- 7-minute scan — painless and non-invasive
No Need to Go Downtown
Most DEXA scanners in the Chicago area are at hospital systems or downtown facilities. Moonshot brings medical-grade body composition scanning to the northwest suburbs.
- Park Ridge, Des Plaines, Niles
- Edison Park, Norwood Park, Rosemont
- Morton Grove, Glenview, Skokie
- Mount Prospect, Arlington Heights
COMMON QUESTIONS
Is the radiation from a DEXA scan safe?
Yes. A DEXA scan exposes you to about 1-4 microsieverts of radiation—roughly equivalent to a few hours of natural background radiation or eating a couple of bananas. It's far less radiation than a standard chest X-ray.
What should I wear for a DEXA scan?
Comfortable athletic clothing without metal (no zippers, buttons, or underwire bras). Remove jewelry and anything with metal. The more consistent your clothing between scans, the more accurate your comparisons.
Can I get a DEXA scan if I'm pregnant?
No. DEXA scans are not performed on pregnant women due to radiation exposure, even though the dose is very low. If you think you may be pregnant, let us know before scheduling.
Do I need to fast before a DEXA scan?
Not required, but for the most consistent results between scans, we recommend scanning at a similar time of day and hydration state. If you're bundling with blood work, you'll be fasting anyway.
References
- 1. Shepherd JA, et al. "Body composition by DXA." Bone. 2017;104:101-105.
- 2. Kaul S, et al. "Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry for quantification of visceral fat." Obesity. 2012;20(6):1313-1318.
- 3. Rothney MP, et al. "Precision of GE Lunar iDXA for the Measurement of Total and Regional Body Composition." J Clin Densitom. 2012;15(4):399-404.
SEE WHAT YOU'RE MADE OF
Medical-grade body composition scan. 7 minutes. No referral. Park Ridge location.
Book DEXA Scan