AMRA® BCP Scan (Body Composition Profiling)

This test involves an MRI scan from your neck to your knees.

During the scan, you’ll lie on the MRI table. The radiographer will help position you comfortably and explain what will happen. You’ll need to stay as still as possible while the scan images are taken, as movement can affect image quality.

The MRI acquisition itself can take around 6 minutes, although your full appointment will take longer to allow time for preparation, safety checks, positioning, and leaving the scanner room afterwards. The images are then processed using AMRA’s analysis platform to label and measure fat and muscle areas.

Your report may include measurements of:

• visceral fat, which is fat stored around the abdominal organs

• subcutaneous fat, which is fat stored under the skin

• thigh muscle volume

• thigh muscle fat, which can reflect muscle quality

• liver fat

• comparison with reference values for people with similar characteristics

Your consultant will talk you through your results and explain what they mean for your health.

Your consultant may recommend this scan if standard measurements don’t provide enough detail. Weight, waist size, and body mass index can be useful, but they don’t show how much fat is stored around your organs or how much muscle you have.

An AMRA BCP Scan may help your consultant:

• understand your fat distribution

• assess changes linked to weight loss treatment

• monitor muscle volume during a weight loss plan

• look at liver fat levels

• review body composition changes over time

• support personalised exercise, nutrition, or medical advice

• identify patterns that may be linked with metabolic risk

The scan does not replace a full medical assessment. Your consultant will interpret the results alongside your symptoms, medical history, blood tests, lifestyle, medicines, and any other scans or investigations.

This is a non-invasive MRI-based test. It doesn’t use radiation and doesn’t usually require injections, sedation, or anaesthesia.

MRI is very safe for most people, but it is not suitable for everyone. Before your scan, you’ll complete an MRI safety questionnaire. This helps the team check whether you have any metal or electronic devices in your body.

You must tell the team before your scan if you have:

• a pacemaker or implantable defibrillator

• a cochlear implant

• a metal implant, clip, or fragment

• a programmable shunt

• a medicine pump

• a history of metal injury to your eyes

• severe claustrophobia

• are pregnant or may be pregnant

Some people feel anxious or uncomfortable in MRI scanners because they're enclosed and can be noisy. Our team will support you throughout the scan, and you’ll be able to communicate with them throughout.

Our team will give you clear instructions before your appointment. In most cases, little preparation is needed.

Before your scan, please:

• wear comfortable clothing without metal fastenings where possible

• leave jewellery, watches, cards, and removable metal items at home or in one of our lockers

• bring details of any implants, devices, or previous surgery

• tell the team if you feel anxious in enclosed spaces

• tell the team if you’re pregnant or may be pregnant

• take your usual medicines unless your consultant tells you otherwise

You can usually eat and drink as normal before this scan, unless you have been given different instructions.

There’s no recovery time after an MRI scan. You can usually return to work, drive, and continue your normal activities straight away.

After the scan, your images will be analysed, and a body composition report will be prepared. Your consultant will review the report and explain what the findings mean. They may recommend lifestyle changes, further tests, treatment, or follow-up scans depending on your results and wider health needs.

The scan results should not be used on their own to diagnose a condition or make treatment decisions. They are most helpful when used as part of a full clinical assessment.

Please contact our Imaging & Diagnostics centre for pricing information. 

At Welbeck, our specialists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

To book an AMRA BCP Scan, you must be referred by either your GP or a specialist following a consultation with them. Self-referrals are not accepted for this test.

If you would like to schedule a consultation with a Welbeck specialist, please get in touch to make an appointment. Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.