Profile By Sanford is a nutrition assessment tool that measures your body composition
Profile By Sanford is a body composition analysis service offered through Sanford Health, a large regional healthcare system. It measures your muscle mass, fat mass, bone density, and water content using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) — a method that sends a harmless electrical signal through your body to estimate these measurements. The test takes about five minutes and requires no needles, radiation, or invasive procedures.
A registered dietitian typically orders or recommends Profile By Sanford as part of a nutrition assessment. The results give you and your dietitian a baseline understanding of your body's composition, which is different from weight alone. Two people at the same weight can have very different muscle-to-fat ratios, and Profile By Sanford shows that difference. Your dietitian uses these numbers to set realistic nutrition and fitness goals and to track whether changes you make are building muscle, reducing fat, or both.
Key Takeaways
- Profile By Sanford measures muscle, fat, bone, and water using a quick electrical signal test, not scales or imaging.
- Your dietitian orders the test as part of a nutrition plan to see your body composition, not just your weight.
- Results show whether you are losing fat, gaining muscle, or both — information a scale cannot provide.
- The test takes about five minutes, costs vary by location and insurance, and results are ready the same day.
- You will need to remove shoes and socks and stand on a special scale with handles to complete the measurement.
What the test measures and why it matters
Profile By Sanford breaks your body weight into four components: lean mass (muscle, organs, and bone), fat mass, bone mineral content, and total body water. A standard scale tells you only total weight, which does not distinguish between muscle and fat. Someone who starts strength training might gain weight while losing inches because muscle is denser than fat — a scale would show failure, but Profile By Sanford would show success.
Your dietitian uses these measurements to understand whether your nutrition plan is working as intended. If your goal is to lose fat while preserving muscle, Profile By Sanford shows whether that is happening. If you are recovering from an illness and need to rebuild muscle, the test tracks that progress. The results also include your basal metabolic rate (BMR) — the calories your body burns at rest — which helps your dietitian adjust your nutrition recommendations based on your actual body composition, not population averages.
How the bioelectrical impedance test works
During the test, you stand barefoot on a scale-like device and hold onto handles. The machine sends a very small electrical current through your body — you will not feel it. Muscle tissue conducts electricity well because it contains water; fat tissue conducts it poorly. By measuring how quickly the signal travels, the machine estimates how much of your body is muscle versus fat.
The test is painless and takes about five minutes. You do not need to prepare in any special way, though some sources suggest avoiding the test when ready after exercise or when very dehydrated, since both can temporarily affect the reading. Your dietitian will explain any preparation steps specific to your situation. Results are usually available the same day, either printed or sent to your patient portal if you use Sanford's online system.
What to expect during your appointment
Your dietitian will schedule you for Profile By Sanford as part of your nutrition visit or as a separate short appointment. When you arrive, you will remove your shoes and socks and step onto the bioelectrical impedance scale. The technician or dietitian will ask you to hold the handles and stand still for a few seconds while the machine takes the measurement. That is the entire test.
After the test, your dietitian will review the results with you, explain what the numbers mean for your specific goals, and discuss how to adjust your nutrition plan based on what the test shows. If this is your first Profile By Sanford test, your dietitian will use it as a baseline. If you have had the test before, your dietitian will compare the new results to your previous ones to show whether you are making progress toward your goals.
Cost and insurance coverage
The cost of Profile By Sanford varies depending on your location within the Sanford Health system and your insurance plan. Some insurance plans cover body composition analysis when ordered by a healthcare provider as part of a medical nutrition therapy program; others do not. Contact your insurance company or ask your dietitian's office before your appointment to find out whether the test is covered under your plan.
If the test is not covered by insurance, Sanford locations can tell you the out-of-pocket cost when you schedule. Many people find the cost reasonable given that the test provides information that helps guide months of nutrition work. Ask your dietitian whether the test is necessary for your situation or whether other assessment methods might work as well.
How your dietitian uses the results
Your dietitian will compare your Profile By Sanford results to healthy ranges for your age and sex. The test shows your percentages of fat, muscle, and water, and your dietitian explains what those numbers mean for your health and your goals. If you are trying to lose weight, your dietitian wants to see fat mass decrease while lean mass stays stable or increases. If you are recovering from illness or building strength, your dietitian wants to see lean mass increase.
Your dietitian may order Profile By Sanford again in three to six months to track progress. Repeat tests show whether your nutrition plan is working and whether adjustments are needed. Some people find that seeing body composition change — even when the scale does not move much — is motivating and helps them stay committed to their nutrition goals.
Limitations of bioelectrical impedance analysis
Profile By Sanford is accurate for most people, but the results can be affected by hydration level, recent exercise, and certain medical conditions. If you have a pacemaker or other implanted electrical device, tell your dietitian before the test — bioelectrical impedance may not be safe for you. Pregnancy, significant swelling, or recent surgery can also affect the accuracy of the measurement.
Bioelectrical impedance is less precise than some other body composition methods, such as DEXA scans or underwater weighing, but it is faster, less expensive, and does not expose you to radiation. Your dietitian will explain whether Profile By Sanford is the right tool for your situation or whether another method might be better.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the electrical current safe?
Yes. The current used in bioelectrical impedance analysis is very small and harmless. You will not feel it. The test is safe for most people, though you should tell your dietitian if you have a pacemaker or other implanted electrical device.
What should I do to prepare for the test?
Most people do not need special preparation. Wear comfortable clothes you can easily remove shoes from. Some sources suggest avoiding the test when ready after intense exercise or when very dehydrated, but your dietitian will give you specific instructions if preparation matters for your situation.
How often should I have the test done?
Your dietitian will recommend how often you need Profile By Sanford based on your goals. Many people have the test done every three to six months to track progress. More frequent testing is usually not necessary because body composition changes take time.
Can I use Profile By Sanford results to replace my scale?
Profile By Sanford and a scale measure different things. The scale tells you total weight; Profile By Sanford tells you what that weight is made of. Your dietitian may recommend using both tools together — the scale for day-to-day tracking and Profile By Sanford for deeper understanding of whether you are losing fat or muscle.
What if I have had the test before at a different location?
Results from bioelectrical impedance machines at different locations may not be directly comparable because different machines can produce slightly different readings. Your dietitian will use your Sanford Profile results as your baseline and track changes from there.