Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’S)
What is Nuclear Medicine?
Nuclear medicine uses small amounts of radiopharmaceutical (radiotracer) for medical diagnosis and therapy. Radiotracers are retained in the body for a short period of time which enables imaging of a specific region of the body.Is Nuclear Medicine safe?
Yes nuclear medicine is very safe. The amount of radiotracer used is very small and has no definite side effects.How does a Nuclear Medicine Scan work?
Nuclear Medicine scans provide important functional information about the body eg it can assess the degree of blood flow to the heart muscle or assess bones and joints as a cause of pain.
The majority of nuclear medicine scans require a small injection (like having a blood test) of the radiotracer.
The radiotracer is detected by a gamma camera which will then provide a scan image for the doctor to analyse and report.How should I prepare for the scan?
In general, minimal preparation is required. Depending on the scan, certain dietary and/or medication restrictions will apply. Our friendly staff will explain what you need to do for your particular scan when you make your appointment. Alternatively, the patient information section on our website has information sheets which can be printed.What do I need to bring?
- your referral form
- any previous scans or X-rays
- any relevant test results
- your Medicare card
How much does it cost?
There is no gap payment required - you will be bulk billed ie Medicare will cover the entire cost.Pregnancy, Breastfeeding or Diabetes
It is very important that you inform our staff if you are pregnant, could be pregnant or are breastfeeding. Some scans require fasting, therefore if you are diabetic, please tell our staff when making your appointment.Contact details for Highlands Nuclear Medicine
Shop 2/380 Bong Bong Street Bowral (near Woolworths)
Phone: 02 4862 2325
Email: info@highlandsnucmed.com.au