Nuclear Medicine

Nuclear medicine uses small amounts of radioactive material to help doctors see how organs and tissues are functioning. It’s different from other imaging tests because it focuses on the function of organs, not just the structure.

You’ll receive a small injection or sometimes a drink or pill that contains a radioactive substance. This will then be absorbed by your body, and special cameras (called gamma cameras) will take images of the radiopharmaceutical as it moves through your body. Some scans require a delay between the injection and the scan to allow the injection to be effective.

Yes, the amount of radiation used in nuclear medicine is very small and is considered safe. The benefits of diagnosing or treating conditions with nuclear medicine usually outweigh the risks.

The procedure can take anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours, depending on the type of test. Some scans may require waiting for the radiopharmaceutical to distribute throughout your body, which can take a bit of time.

Some tests require you to fast for a few hours beforehand, while others may require you to avoid certain medications or activities. You'll be given specific instructions before the procedure.

Most patients do not feel anything when the radiopharmaceutical is injected, although some might experience mild discomfort from the needle. The scanning itself is painless.

The radioactive substance typically clears from your body within a few hours to a few days, depending on the type of test. Drinking plenty of fluids and using the toilet frequently can help speed up the process.

Side effects are rare, but some people might experience mild reactions like itching or swelling at the injection site. If you have any concerns, let the radiographer or clinical technologist know.

Yes, in most cases you can drive home after the procedure. However, if you feel unwell or are given sedation for any reason, it may be best to have someone drive you.

If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, it's important to inform the medical team. Depending on the type of test, the radiation may pose a risk to a developing baby or nursing infant. Your doctor may suggest an alternative test or advise waiting until after giving birth/expressing milk.

Nuclear medicine can be used for many types of imaging, including PET scans (positron emission tomography), SPECT scans (single photon emission computed tomography), and other specialised tests that evaluate organ function, blood flow, and tissue health.

Your doctor will recommend a nuclear medicine procedure if they need to evaluate the function of organs (like the heart, bones, or thyroid) or detect certain diseases, including cancers, rheumatological processes, infections, or heart disease.

Nuclear medicine focuses on the function of organs and tissues, while CT and MRI focus on their structure. Nuclear medicine can show how organs are working, such as blood flow in the heart or metabolism in cancer cells, which can not be seen in other imaging tests.

Typically, the images will be reviewed by a radiologist or nuclear medicine specialist, and the results will be sent to the doctor who referred you within a few weeks. You’ll usually meet with your doctor to discuss the findings.

Some people often joke about whether they will glow in the dark after a nuclear medicine scan due to the radioactive material used. However, you may be disappointed to know that while you may have trace amounts of radiation in your body, it won’t cause you to glow.