BIA home scale to measure weight, bone and muscle mass

Could a $100-$150 home bathroom digital scale that measures weight, bone mass, muscle mass, body fat, hydration and weight via BIA (body impedance analysis) help guide us? For example, maybe a consistent bone mass decrease can alert us to bone met progression. Perhaps a decrease in muscle mass and body fat might indicate we're heading toward cachexia and we'll try to correct it and see our results. Of course a consumer home product such as this can't replace medical testing from our doctors, but maybe it can be helpful in alerting and motivating us -- or to visit our doctor earlier. I can't find much info on their reliability. They're sold on Amazon, Apple Store, Withings, Fitbit. Even if they're not accurate, we can at least get a baseline to measure increase or decrease. What do you think? I'm thinking of buying one.

I don't see how a bathroom scale can do all that. Most I have seen measure weight only. Even BMI is not truly measured by using weight and height. My nephew is a top grade bodybuilder. By only using height and weight his BMI is off the charts. By using the proper diagnostic method his BMI is very low.

Personally, I would save the money and use a simple scale to keep track of weight, or as Steve does, measure the middle from time to time. Besides, if as you say they may not be accurate, then using one is apt to give you an inaccurate baseline. Of what good is that?

PeterDisAbelard, thanks for replying. I've only posted once, so bear with me.
I appreciate any input from anyone on the consumer BIA (bioelectrical impedance analysis) scale to detect bone and muscle changes (but not to replace pro medical tests)-- or anything else.

The home-use scales that include BIA, muscle mass and other measurements are calculated values rather than direct measurements and not accurate. The only way to get a true bone density is to get a DEXA Bone Density Scan. Most insurance companies will pay for it.

Welcome to the forum. There are a number of Gleason G9's here who are eminently expert on useful treatment information. You've come to the right place for help and support.

Take care and hang in there.

Tim

I use an Omron handheld body fat analyzer - it measures body impedance, and with inputs from you such as weight, age, etc. it calculates body fat percentage. I don't know how reliable the absolute readings are, but it provides a good trend indicator on body fat percentage, and provides a distinction between muscle mass gain versus body fat gain. Very easy to use.