How Often Should You Have a Bone Density Scan?

Written by Rahul PuriPharmacist, MPharm

Medically reviewed 3 November 2026

There is no single repeat-scan schedule that suits everyone. The useful question is what a new measurement would change in your care. Your previous result, treatment, new fractures and changing risk factors influence the answer.

At a glance

• A clinical review and a repeat scan are different appointments.
• Follow the plan from the clinician managing your bone health.
• Report a new fracture or important medicine change rather than waiting for a routine date.
• Bindex screening cannot replace DXA treatment monitoring.

Why annual testing is not automatically better

A short interval may not provide useful information if the expected change is small relative to measurement variation. More appointments do not automatically mean better prevention. Ask the reporting clinician why a repeat measurement is recommended and what decision will depend on it.

What can change the follow-up plan?

• A new fracture or a change in relevant symptoms.
• Starting or changing medicines that affect bone.
• A previous result close to a treatment decision threshold.
• The type of osteoporosis treatment and the reason for monitoring.

These are discussion points, not instructions to arrange a scan yourself. ISCD follow-up guidance recommends individual timing and a clear purpose for repeat testing.

If you already take osteoporosis medicine

Monitoring includes how you take the medicine, side effects, fractures and whether the treatment remains appropriate. NOGG treatment guidance sets out different review plans for different medicines. A treatment review date is not automatically a DXA appointment date, and it is not permission to stop treatment.

Write down the medicine name, start date and clinician responsible for your next review. If a scan is delayed, ask that team what to do; do not interrupt treatment or substitute another device’s reading.

If your previous result was reassuring

Keep the report and its recommendations. Ask what should prompt an earlier discussion and who will organise any planned reassessment. A new risk factor can matter even when the previous measurement was reassuring. Do not assume the result remains a guarantee for life.

Can you compare results from different tests?

A Bindex Density Index and a DXA measurement are not interchangeable. Read our comparison guide before treating them as a trend. If your clinician wants to monitor DXA bone mineral density, repeating ultrasound screening does not answer that question.

For DXA follow-up, tell the scanning department where your earlier scan was performed. The report should explain whether comparison is valid and whether an apparent difference represents meaningful change.

Four questions before paying for another test

• What decision will this result inform?
• Is this the same type of test my clinician recommended?
• Can it be compared with my previous result?
• Who will interpret it and organise the next step?

Ask Rahul

Rahul Puri | Pharmacist

Bone health, screening and informed decisions

Is a scan every year better care?

The useful question is what a repeat result would change. Ask the clinician managing your bone health to explain the timing, the test and the follow-up. Do not replace planned DXA monitoring with a different type of measurement.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a scan every year?

Not automatically. Follow-up should reflect your clinical circumstances and the purpose of testing.

Can I repeat Bindex to see if medicine is working?

Do not use Bindex as a substitute for the monitoring requested by your osteoporosis clinician.

What if I fracture before my review date?

Contact the team managing your injury and bone health. The existing schedule may need reconsideration.

Should I stop treatment until I have a new scan?

No. Ask your prescriber about any uncertainty and follow their current instructions.