Nuclear Medicine

When you’re having a nuclear scan, we introduce a very small amount of radiation into your body. Once your body absorbs it, we use a special type of camera to detect the radiation.

If you’re having a nuclear heart scan, for example, we focus the camera on your heart. If you’re having a nuclear thyroid exam, we focus on your thyroid gland. We’re able to get information about how well these body parts function based on how the radioactive material reacts in your organs or tissues.

Nuclear medicine scans can help us learn more about many different body systems. Some specific health problems they can help us identify early include:

• Bone changes
• Certain types of heart disease
• Thyroid disease
• Tumors

We give you details about how to prepare for the specific exam you’re having.

Be sure to let us know if you’re pregnant or think you might be. You should also inform us if you’re breastfeeding.

Because jewelry may interfere with your exam, it’s best to leave that at home. Things you should bring to your appointment include information about:

• Allergies
• Medications you take, including vitamins and supplements
• Your health history

We may give you the radiopharmaceutical by mouth or IV. In some cases, we ask you to inhale it. Then you wait as the material moves through your body. At the appropriate time, we begin taking images. We may ask you to change positions during your test. But generally, you must remain still.

Time needed for the test varies. Most nuclear medicine scans are painless, and once complete, you can resume normal activities unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Drinking plenty of water will help eliminate the radioactive material from your body. We give you instructions on how to avoid exposing others until that time.

One of our radiologists will interpret your exam and send a report to your doctor, who will get the results to you. They may be available through our patient portal. Overall, this process may take several days.