No preparation is needed except for:
Thyroid Scans – A low iodine diet is necessary for three days prior to an examination. Avoid eating seafood, salt, white bread and dairy products.
Gallbladder and Gastric Emptying study – Do not eat or drink anything six hours prior to the exam.
There are a variety of nuclear medicine procedures, but they encompass three principal steps: administering the tracer, obtaining and analyzing the images. Some nuclear medicine tests take 45 minutes and some can vary from a few hours to a few days depending upon the type of test.
If you think you may be pregnant, please inform your physician or the technologist before your exam.
If you have a known contrast allergy, please contact your physician or the imaging location where you are having your exam as soon as possible.
You can resume normal activities right away. If you were asked to temporarily stop taking any medication prior to the test or if your doctor changed your usual dosage because of the test, be sure to ask when and if you should resume taking your medications.
A radiologist will interpret your exam and transcribed report will be available within 24 hours to the ordering physician.
