CT Upper or Lower Extremity

Planning ahead:

• You may need to have blood drawn before having this exam.
• If you are to have IV contrast and you are allergic to the iodine contrast used in the CT scan, your physician must provide you with medication for this, which you will usually take 24 hours ahead of time. Your physician may call our department and speak to a radiologist with any questions about this.
• If you are allergic to the contrast and arrive for your exam without having taken the medication, we will likely have to reschedule your CT for another day.

Bring to the hospital when you come for your exam:

• Complete list of medications you are currently taking – name, dosage, and schedule for each medication. 
• Written physician’s order for the test. If your provider is a Mon Health provider, your order will be sent electronically.

On the day of the exam:

• Wear comfortable clothing with no metal around the waist area.
• Come in through the main entrance of Mon Health Medical Center and to the Radiology Services registration desk, down the hallway to the right.

If having a routine scan (no IV contrast):

• Plan to arrive at the hospital 30 minutes before the exam is scheduled. (Ask the scheduler what time that is.)

• Plan to be at the hospital for approximately one hour.

If having IV contrast:

• Do not eat, drink, or smoke anything for two hours before the exam.

• Plan to arrive at the hospital one hour before the exam is scheduled. (Ask the scheduler when that is.)
• Plan to be at the hospital for approximately 1 ½ hours.

After the exam:

• If you had IV contrast, do not take any drug containing metformin for 48 hours after the injection for the CT scan.

If you have any questions or concerns, call the Mon Health CT Department at (304) 598-1280.