Nuclear Medicine
Getting prepared for your Nuclear Medicine exam is easy. Most studies require little or no preparation before your appointment. Please read and follow the instructions below to make sure we can perform the best study possible.
You must bring your prescription (order form) with you to the examination. If you have any questions regarding these instructions, call 703-588-8500.
Please choose from one of the following examinations to view the study intructions:
- Gastric Emptying
- Helicobactor Pylori Breath Test
- HIDA Scan
- Renal Scan
- Sestamibi Stress Test
- Thyroid Scan / Thyroid Metastatic Whole Body Scan
Gastric Emptying
Instructions:
- Nothing to eat or drink after midnight.
- No narcotic medications 8 hours prior to the exam.
Helicobacter Pylori Breath Test
Instructions:
- Nothing to eat or drink 6 hours prior to the exam.
- The patient must be off antibiotics for at least one month prior to the test.
- The patient must be off all Bismuth drugs for at least 1 month prior to the test, (the most common in the U.S. is Pepto-Bismol).
- The patient must be off Sucralfate (Carafate) for at least 2 weeks prior to the test.
- The patient must be off proton pump inhibitors (Prilosec, Prevacid) for at least 2 weeks prior to the test.
HIDA Scan
Instructions:
- Nothing to eat or drink for 4 hours prior to the exam.
- No narcotic medications for 8 hours prior to the exam.
Renal Scan
Instructions:
- The patient must be well hydrated. Drink 2-3 glasses of fluid prior to the exam.
- You may use the restroom as needed.
Sestamibi Stress Test
Instructions:
- Nothing to eat or drink for 3 hours prior to the exam.
- No caffeine for 24 hours prior to the exam.
Thyroid Scan / Thyroid Metastatic Whole Body Scan
Instructions:
- The patient must be off all thyroid medication for 1 month prior to the exam.
