Frequently Asked Questions: Nuclear Medicine

Q. What is nuclear medicine?

A. Nuclear medicine uses small amounts of radioactive trace materials to help diagnose and treat a number of diseases. Nuclear medicine differs from X-rays, ultrasound and other diagnostic tests by determining the cause of the medical problem based on the function of the organ, tissue or bone rather than its structural appearance.

Q. Are nuclear medicine procedures safe?

A. Nuclear medicine testing procedures are very safe. The amount of radioactive tracer used is extremely small and is no more than the amount used in a standard chest X-ray.

Q. Does the tracer cause side effects?

A. Side effects, or adverse reactions, are rare but sometimes happen. Please let the technologist know if you are experiencing any symptoms during or after the tracer injection.

Q. How long does the procedure take?

A. The amount of time for the procedure varies with each test. Nuclear medicine tests are performed in three phases; the administration of the tracer, taking the images and the analysis of the images. For many tests, a certain amount of time is needed for the absorption of the trace material. This can range from a few hours to a few days. During the imaging part of the test, the time needed will also vary depending on the type of test.

Q. Can I resume my daily activities after the test?

A. You should be able to resume your normal daily activities after a nuclear medicine test. If you were asked to discontinue taking medications prior to your test, be sure to ask your doctor when you may resume your usual dosage.

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