Iodine Whole Body Scan
What is an iodine Scan?
This is a test in which a small amount of radioactivity is used to obtain pictures of thyroid tissue in your body with a gamma camera. These pictures will help your doctor make a diagnosis or monitor your treatment.
What is involved?
First you will have a blood test to ensure that a particular thyroid hormone level is high enough for the imaging to be effective. You will then attend the Nuclear Medicine Department where a small amount of radioactive tracer is injected into a vein, usually in your arm. The injection is no more painful than a blood test.
You
will have pictures taken (whole body scan) after a delay of about two hours.
After a further 24 hours another whole body scan will be taken. For the scan
you will be asked to lie on a bed whilst the gamma camera obtains the images.
You do not normally have to undress but we will ask you to remove any metal objects
such as jewellery.
You will be allowed to leave the department between the injection and the imaging at two and 24 hours.
Is the radiation dangerous?
The amount of radiation you receive is small; it is comparable to that of an X-ray examination. The substances we inject are non-toxic and will not make you feel sick or drowsy. However, for radiation safety reasons pregnant women and children should not be brought to the Nuclear Medicine Department.
What about pregnancy?
Please tell us as soon as possible before the injection if you are pregnant or think that you may be pregnant. All female patients between the ages of 10 - 55 years will be asked to complete a form on arrival.
What about breastfeeding?
Radioactive substances can come out in breast milk. Please phone the Nuclear Medicine Department before your test if you are breastfeeding, so that we can advise you if you need to stop feeding for a length of time.
How long will it take?
The waiting time between having your injection and going in for the scan is about two hours and then a further 24 hours. Your appointment letter will show three separate times, one for the injection and two for the scans. The scan itself will take about 30 minutes. You will also receive an appointment letter for the blood test, which will be carried out early in the morning before your visit to the Nuclear Medicine department.
Do I need to do anything before and after the test?
Please contact the department to discuss any medicines you are
taking, which could interfere with the test. You should also follow a
low iodine diet.
A diet which is rich in iodine can reduce the sensitivity of this investigation,
so we offer the following suggestions to follow for three weeks before
the test:
Do
eat:
- Fresh meat
- Vegetables
- Fresh fruit
- Pasta
- Rice
- which are low in iodine
Do NOT eat
- foods artificially coloured pink or red such as:
- Canned and glace cherries
- Canned strawberries
- Spam
- Salami
- Certain pastries and sweets
(These may contain the colouring material E127, which is rich in iodine)
Do not take
- cough medicine
- iodised table salt
- sea salt
- vitamin supplements including cod-liver oil
- mineral supplements
for three weeks before the test. Many of these contain iodine.
Cut down on
- fish and seafood
- dairy produce such as:
- eggs
- cheese
- milk
- milk products
for three weeks before the test. These all contain some iodine.
Can I bring a friend or relative with me?
A friend or relative can attend with you but they will not be able to accompany you for the injection or scan.
Do I need to do anything after the scan?
You can eat as normal, but you should drink more than usual for the rest of the day to help wash the tracer out of your body.
Can I still look after children and pets?
Please try to avoid prolonged close contact with small children and babies for the rest of the day; this is to avoid exposing children to unnecessary radiation. The radioactive material you will be given will not affect any pets you may have.
Can I return to work after my scan?
There is usually no problem, but if your work involves radiation or close contact with children or pregnant women please ask Nuclear Medicine staff for advice.
What about my result?
We are unable to tell you the result of the test. The scan is reported by a Radiologist and the result is sent to the doctor who requested the test. However, the staff performing the test are fully qualified and will be happy to answer any other questions you may have.
If you have any further questions after reading this information
please contact:
The Nuclear Medicine Department (01202) 442499
References
This information has been produced by:
Head of Nuclear Medicine: Mr Lars Jansson
Date Produced: February 2007
Review Date: February 2008
Responsible Clinician: Dr NK Robson, Consultant Radiologist
