Whilst it is important to always scan under the exact same conditions for consistency and repeatability, there are a number of medications that can alter a scan result where the medications significantly change hydration status, blood volume and body temperature changes. The most notable being –
Medications that influence ICW / ECW (intracellular water & extracellular water) and Nitrogen retention – influence interpretation of protein / mineral measures, soft lean mass etc. Creatine, anabolic, beta 3 agonists, peptides etc. will influence the result.
Hydration status – as in euhydrated in this case and influence of things like caffeine intake, pre-workouts,
diuretics, thermogenics. (dehydrated normally
overestimates body fat).
Other medications that may influence blood volume, include things like Metal Plates, Pins & Gut contents.
Water Compartmentalization including Sodium and Potassium (intracellular electrolyte) retention particularly from the use of diuretic medications.
Iron status – anaemia vs hemochromatosis – high ferritin = increase red blood cell mass = increase blood viscosity = influence BIA interpretation of total body water and lean body mass – as in register higher soft tissue and total body water therefore may result in reduced measure of total body fat etc. (anaemia may do the opposite).
Drugs that increase blood flow via vasoconstriction – changes blood volume and ECW / TBW ratio which influences the interpretation of fat mass, these may include stimulants (Ritalin, Dexedrine, Adderall and Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed)