How long does the test take?
This is variable depending on which test your doctor requests. Some tests will require as little as one hour, while others will be imaged periodically over several days.

Why do some nuclear medicine tests take a long time to perform?
Because they are functional scans, a specific amount of time is needed for the tracer to accumulate in the part of the body being imaged. This allows abnormalities to be visualized within the normal background activity.

How much radiation will I be exposed to?
With most nuclear medicine procedures, the amount of radioactive exposure is comparable to that received during a diagnostic X ray. This also approximates the amount of radiation that any individual receives from normal background radiation in our environment over several months.

Are there any contraindications to these tests?
Pregnancy and prior antibody-labeled testing of the same type are contraindications. Breastfeeding must be stopped for at least 24 hours after the test.

Who performs nuclear medicine tests?
A nuclear medicine technologist performs the test by administering the radiotracer and taking the pictures. All of the images are then interpreted by one of Tristán Associates' board-certified radiologists.

What regulations govern nuclear medicine tests?
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission issues regulations for oversight of medical use of radioactive substances. See this site for details.