Nuclear Medicine

Preparation may vary depending on the type of exam you are having. You will receive specific instructions when your appointment is booked. 

To prepare for your test, please review the Patient Preparation and Information Guide. 

Your nuclear medicine exam will be performed by a registered medical radiation technologist (MRT). MRTs are responsible for using advanced imaging and radiation therapy to diagnose and treat illness. As both technical experts and frontline caregivers, they play a critical role in patient care, advocacy, and clinical decision-making. Click here to learn more about MRTs!

• Nuclear medicine technologists are MRTS that have extensive training to use safe, small amounts of radioactive material called radiopharmaceuticals to create images of how your organs and tissues are working. The technologist makes sure the radioactive material is prepared and given safely, and they support you throughout the test to ensure you’re comfortable and safe. They follow strict safety guidelines to protect you and everyone around during the procedure.

A radiologist will review all of your imaging and provide a report to your referring healthcare provider. Radiologists are highly specialized physicians who play a pivotal role in diagnosing and monitoring diseases and injuries through advanced medical imaging. Their expertise is essential in guiding treatment decisions and ensuring optimal patient outcomes.

Yes, nuclear medicine is considered safe. The radioactive tracer (radiopharmaceutical) and the radiation dose are carefully selected to minimize exposure while ensuring the test’s accuracy. In many cases, the amount of radiation used in a nuclear medicine test is similar to or slightly higher than what you’d receive from a standard diagnostic X-ray.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it's important to inform both your healthcare provider and the nuclear medicine technologist before the exam. A radiologist will carefully weigh the benefits of the procedure against any potential risks. In some urgent situations, your healthcare team may determine that proceeding with the exam is medically necessary.

Many radiopharmaceuticals can be transferred to a baby through breast milk, so special precautions may be required. The technologist will provide you with any additional information and instructions to help ensure your safety and your baby’s well-being.

Nuclear medicine tests are designed to track normal processes in the body using radiopharmaceutical tracers. These tracers are formulated to mimic natural substances and are prepared with saline. It’s important to note these tracers are not dyes or contrast agents, so you won’t experience unusual sensation or side effects from their administration.

If your test involved other non-radioactive medications (such as Lasix or Persantine), the technologist will explain any potential side effects beforehand. 

The length of the procedure depends on the specific type of test being performed. Please see patient preparation for more details. Depending on the type of test and the radiopharmaceutical used, imaging may be performed immediately, a few hours later or even several days after the radiopharmaceutical is administered.

After a nuclear medicine scan, you may remain slightly radioactive for a short time, usually a few hours to a couple of days. But the amount of radiation is very low and is considered safe. The radioactive tracer naturally loses its radioactivity and leaves your body through urine and stool. Depending on the type of tracer used, most of the radioactivity is gone within a day or two.

If you plan to travel outside of Canada within 72 hours of your scan, please let us know. You may still have small amounts of radioactive tracers in your system, which could trigger sensitive detectors at border crossings. We can provide a letter to help avoid any delays.