Our services
Nuclear Medicine
How does Nuclear Medicine?
Nuclear medicine uses a small dose of a radiopharmaceutical (called a tracer) that will highlight on a scan how your body is functioning and show internal physical structures.
Nuclear medicine is used because the tracer can accurately target cells and highlight the way the systems in your body are working in ways other medical imaging can’t.
Your doctor may have referred you for a Nuclear Medicine scan if they would like more information about a system in your body e.g. heart, lungs or intestines. You may also be referred for Nuclear Medicine scans using tracers to treat conditions such as thyroid cancer or prostate cancer.
What can I expect in a Nuclear medicine test?
Dependent upon the request from your doctor, the procedure involves the injection, swallowing or inhalation of a small amount of a chemical substance tagged with a radioactive tracer – a radiopharmaceutical.
The radiopharmaceuticals give off gamma rays and are designed to concentrate in the part of the body being investigated, where there could be an abnormality or disease, e.g. skeleton, lungs, heart or liver.
A special camera, a gamma camera, will move around the body to do the scan, providing a series of images where the tracer is active in the target area.
About Your Test
Before your appointment
You will need a referral from your doctor for Nuclear Medicine imaging to make an appointment.
Upon receiving your referral, our Bookings Team will help you find a time that works for you to have your scan done. They will also advise you at the time of booking on how to prepare for your appointment.
On the day
Preparation is dependent on the type of exam being performed. Depending on the body part being examined, you may be required to wear a gown provided to you.
The length of the test will vary depending on which procedure is being undertaken.
After your appointment
After your scan you can go about your day as normal. Any radiopharmaceutical remaining in your body will be quickly expelled by the body.
Your images will be analysed by our Radiologists. A report and copy of the images are provided to your doctor via a secure online system. After 7 days you will also be able to view your images in our IQ Vue patient App.
Frequently Asked Questions
You will need to book in for imaging using Nuclear Medicine with a referral from your doctor. Our friendly Bookings Team will advise you at the time of booking on how to prepare for your appointment.
Like any medical treatment, there may be risks and side effects. Your radiologist will discuss this with you at your appointment. Like any other medicine, radiopharmaceuticals are prepared carefully and thoroughly tested before being used on the general public. The risk of side effects is very low. The Nuclear Medicine technician will carefully select an appropriate dose for you. The radiopharmaceuticals commonly used are quickly eliminated from the body through its natural functions.
Our friendly radiography team will clearly explain what you have to do during the appointment, including administering of the radiopharmaceutical.
Prior to your scan and to ensure optimal imaging, you may be asked to change into a gown. A change cubicle will be provided to ensure your privacy and you will be asked to bring your belongings with you, carry baskets are provided. You will be asked to place your belongings in a suitable location within the room for the duration of your scan. After your scan, you will be provided with a change cubicle to ensure your privacy. Please ensure you have all your belongings with you prior to leaving the department. If you accidentally leave anything behind, please contact our staff to advise and we will endeavour to locate your belongings and return them to you.
Scans can have different duration times depending on the nature of the procedure. You are welcome to call our friendly team to discuss your situation further.
Your images will be analysed by our Radiologists. A report and copy of the images are provided to your doctor via a secure online system. After 7 days you will also be able to view your images in our IQ Vue patient App.
Our friendly Bookings Team will advise you on the cost of your procedure at the time of your booking.