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Nuclear medicine testing provides a safe, noninvasive way to assess organ function and diagnose chronic health problems, such as heart disease and cancer. The information these tests provide helps guide treatment to achieve optimal outcomes. At Bridgewater Primary Care & Cardiology, LLC, in West Bridgewater, Massachusetts, board-certified cardiologist John Terzian, MD, FACC, and the team use nuclear medicine testing to diagnose blocked arteries, coronary artery disease, and more. Call Bridgewater Primary Care & Cardiology, LLC, today to schedule a nuclear medicine testing appointment, or book your visit online.
Nuclear Medicine Testing Q & A
What is nuclear medicine testing?
Nuclear medicine testing, or nuclear medicine imaging, uses a radioactive substance called a radiotracer to diagnose or monitor a chronic illness.
Once the radiotracer is injected into your bloodstream, a gamma camera takes photos of different body parts, such as your blood vessels and arteries. These images let Dr. Terzian assess circulation throughout your body. They can also detect potential problems, such as narrowed arteries, artery blockages, and blood clots.
Why would I need nuclear medicine testing?
Dr. Terzian may recommend nuclear medicine testing if he suspects you have an underlying health problem, such as:
- A blood disorder (for example, anemia or a clotting disorder)
- Thyroid disease
- Heart disease
- Gallbladder disease
- Lung problems
- Bone problems (for example, an infection or fracture)
- Kidney disease
- Cancer
Sometimes, Dr. Terzian uses nuclear medicine testing to monitor the results of a specific treatment. For example, if you need radioimmunotherapy for cancer, these tests can ensure the radiation is delivered to the right area.
How is nuclear medicine testing different from other imaging tests?
The primary difference between nuclear medicine testing and other imaging tests is that nuclear testing assesses how well your organs function, rather than how your organs look.
By evaluating a specific organ’s function, Dr. Terzian can make personalized treatment recommendations that align with your needs and health history.
Does nuclear medicine testing require any special preparation?
Preparation instructions vary from test to test. Dr. Terzian provides detailed information leading up to your test. For example, you might need to fast for at least six hours before the test, only drinking water. In other cases, no preparation is necessary. If you have questions about the process, don’t hesitate to speak up.
What happens during nuclear medicine testing?
Nuclear medicine testing typically takes an hour, but it may take longer, depending on the type of testing you need.
You change into a gown and lie on a comfortable exam table underneath a device called a gamma camera. Next, you have the radiotracer injected –– a radioactive substance –– into your bloodstream, or you take a radiotracer orally.
After the tracer enters your body, you must lie very still. The gamma camera takes hundreds of photos. Crystals inside the camera detect the radiotracer in your body and interpret them into a series of images. The images are automatically uploaded to a computer that Dr. Terzian views, checking for abnormalities and diseases.
For example, if Dr. Terzian suspects you have coronary artery disease, nuclear medicine testing can identify where your coronary arteries are narrowed or blocked, and help guide treatment.
Call Bridgewater Primary Care & Cardiology, LLC, today to schedule a nuclear medicine testing consultation, or book your visit online.