Nuclear medicine is a medical specialty that uses very small amounts of radioactive substances or radiopharmaceuticals (tracers) to diagnose or treat diseases. For imaging different organs and diseases, different radiopharmaceuticals are used.Tracers are introduced to the body by injection, swallowing or inhalation, in very small amounts.

The medicine part of the tracer goes to a specific organ in the body where disease or abnormality is expected. The radioactive part of the tracer emits radiation, which is detected using a special camera called a gamma camera.

Absolutely. The quantity of the pharmaceutical (or medicine) part of the tracer is very small, generally 1/10th of a millionth of an ounce. As a rough estimate, one teaspoon of it is enough to perform about five million scans.

The risk of a reaction is two to three incidents per 100,000 injections, over 50% of which are rashes.

A larger exposure to radioactivity is always harmful. However, the amount of radioactivity in tracers is carefully selected and appears to be safe. No reports have yet been made available regarding any harmful human effects in diagnostic nuclear medicine procedures.

However, nuclear medicine tests are generally not recommended for pregnant women because unborn babies have a greater sensitivity to radiation than children or adults.

You should be able to resume your regular daily activities right after the test. The tracer in your body will be cleared through bodily functions. Drinking fluids will help eliminate the maternial even more quickly.