What the risks are:

Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.

Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:

• Excessive bleeding
• Fainting or feeling light-headed
• Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
• Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)

Extremely rarely, a person may experience an allergic reaction to the radioisotope. This may include anaphylaxis if the person is extremely sensitive to the substance.

There is a very slight exposure to radiation from the radioisotope. The radiation is minimal, and the materials "decompose" (are no longer radioactive) in a very short time. Virtually all radioactivity is gone within about 12 hours. There are no documented cases of injury from exposure to radioisotopes. The scanner only detects radiation -- it does not give off radiation.

Most nuclear scans (including an RBC scan) are not recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Special considerations:

Scans may need to be repeated over 1 or 2 days to detect gastrointestinal bleeding.