Understanding Nuclear Medicine Testing and When You Might Need It

As cardiology specialists at Bridgewater Primary Care & Cardiology, LLC, in West Bridgewater, Massachusetts, nuclear medicine testing is an integral part of our diagnostic services. 

Although we primarily use these technologies for nuclear stress tests, the field of nuclear medicine testing is an innovative and valuable tool in the diagnostic imaging process. Today, we’ll look at how nuclear medicine testing works and how it might apply to medical conditions you may experience. 

Nuclear medicine testing basics

Using small amounts of harmless radioactive materials, nuclear medicine is a specialized area within the field of radiology. Seeing inside the body using techniques like X-ray, computed tomography (CT) scans, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides ease and convenience for diagnosing diseases, injuries, and more. 

A drawback of these technologies is sometimes the inability to see softer tissues within the body. Nuclear medicine expands the capabilities to see tissue like muscles, blood vessels, intestines, and other internal organs. 

This is possible with a radioactive tracer that helps to illuminate structures in your body when viewed through the various imaging techniques. Also called radionuclides or radiopharmaceuticals, these tracers absorb into selected tissue, allowing otherwise invisible tissue to show up in radiological imaging. 

Common uses for nuclear medicine

As a cardiology specialist, Dr. John Terzian frequently turns to nuclear stress tests to evaluate your heart’s performance and efficiency. Typically, this involves the injection of a radioactive tracer that’s absorbed by your heart, with imaging done with a gamma camera. 

This makes the activities of your heart easier to see, including pumping action and blood flow. These can be important in diagnosing heart conditions like coronary artery disease (CAD) as well as its level of advancement. 

Other uses of nuclear medicine testing include: 

• Assessing lung condition and function
• Examining bones for arthritis, fractures, infections, and diseases
• Checking the condition and function of various intestinal disorders
• Finding the sources of unexplained fever or infection
• Measuring thyroid function
• Diagnosing blood cell disorders
• Checking spinal fluid flow or leakage

Nuclear medicine testing is also valuable for investigating disorders of the brain, including the reasons behind memory loss and seizures, as well as detecting neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s disease. 

The stress test

There’s usually an exercise component to elevate your heart rate and observe its function under stress, when it’s beating fast and hard. For patients who are unable to use a treadmill or exercise bike, stress can be simulated using medications. 

At the end of nuclear medicine testing, the radioactive tracer flushes naturally from your body. Usually, tracers require no special care after treatment, and you can return to your day if your condition allows. 

Contact Bridgewater Primary Care & Cardiology, LLC, to arrange a nuclear stress test or to start an evaluation of your heart condition. Call or click to book with our West Bridgewater office today. 

We are conveniently located near Boston and proudly extend our services to communities throughout Norfolk, Plymouth, Bristol, and Providence counties, including Braintree, Canton, Stoughton, Westwood, Norwood, and Walpole. 

Whether you're in Foxborough, Easton, Brockton, or Abington, we're just a short drive away. We also welcome clients from West Bridgewater, East Bridgewater, Bridgewater, and Middleborough, as well as Taunton, Norton, Mansfield, and Attleboro. 

Our reach extends to Rehoboth, Somerset, Swansea, Fall River, Westport, Dartmouth, New Bedford, and even further to Wareham, Plymouth, and Pembroke. Rhode Island residents in Providence, East Providence, and Warwick can also rely on our services.