Nuclear medicine is a branch of medical imaging that uses small amounts of radioactive material to diagnose or treat a variety of diseases, including many types of cancers, heart disease and certain other abnormalities within the body.

You should inform your physician and the technologist performing your exam of any medications you are taking, including vitamins and herbal supplements. You should also inform them if you have any allergies and about recent illnesses or other medical conditions.

Jewelry and other metallic accessories should be left at home if possible, or removed prior to the exam because they may interfere with the procedure.

Your healthcare provider will tell you if there are specific instructions on eating prior to your exam and whether or not you should take your routine medications. Wear loose, comfortable clothing for your test.

Depending on the type of nuclear medicine exam you are undergoing, the radiotracer is either injected into a vein, swallowed or inhaled as a gas and eventually accumulates in the organ or area of your body being examined, where it gives off energy in the form of gamma rays. This energy is detected by a device called a gamma camera  and/or probe. These devices work together with a computer to measure the amount of radiotracer absorbed by your body and to produce special pictures offering details on both the structure and function of organs and tissues

Outpatient procedures are scheduled between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

For scheduling or general questions please call 269-639-2828 option 1.

To learn more specific information about Nuclear Medicine procedures go to: www.radiologyinfo.org