FDG PET
Diabetic Preparation Guide For FDG PET/CT Patients
(Not applicable for PSMA or Dotatate PET Patients)
FDG PET/CT exams use a baseline of sugar (called glucose) to establish normal cell activity range. To optimize your FDG PET/CT imaging exam, NCPIC created this 7-day diet preparation to help you achieve appropriate glucose levels. 200 mg/dL or less is glucose goal. Following this guide will avoid unnecessary glucose uptake.
7 Days Prior to your Exam
Practice Run
- Please conduct a glucose test practice run. Your morning blood glucose level should fall between 70-200 mg/dL.
200 mg/dL or less is glucose goal
- If you struggle to regulate your blood glucose, consult your diabetes doctor before the scan.
- If your glucose levels exceed 200 mg/dL, please call NCPIC at 916.737.3211 to discuss.
No Insulin day-of exam
- You will not be able to inject insulin on the morning of the scan. (Exceptions may apply if you are on an insulin pump).
- Seek assistance from your diabetes doctor in regulating your blood sugar levels should you have any issues.
2 Days Prior to your Exam
- Follow a high protein/low-carbohydrate diet listed on the recommended foods list in the blue box below.
1 Day Prior to your exam
- Take your usual insulin dose with meals, and avoid strenuous exercise or physical activity.
- Continue the allowed list of foods (high-protein/low-carbohydrate diet).
- A gentle walk the night before your exam may help lower your sugar levels.
The Evening Before Your Exam
Insulin Patients
- Insulin Pump patients: If your appointment was scheduled after 8:00 am, please call us at (916) 737-3211.
- If you take a bedtime dose of insulin, follow the prescribed order and have a high protein snack right before bedtime.
- Long-acting insulin patients: If you normally inject long-acting insulin in the morning, you may need to take it the evening before your scan.
All Patients
- Eat a light high protein/no carbohydrate meal.
- Drink only plain, unflavored water until after your PET/CT scan is complete.
- Avoid strenuous exercise or physical activity.
- A gentle walk the night before your exam may help lower your sugar levels.
Day of Your scan (glucose goal 70-200mg/dl)
Insulin Patients
- Do NOT inject insulin the day of your scan.
- Please keep your insulin pump in "nighttime setting" until the PET/CT study is complete.
Morning Scheduled FDG PET/CT patients
- 6-hour fast from all foods – no gum, mints, candy, etc.
- Drink plain, unflavored water only, until after your PET/CT scan is complete.
Afternoon Scheduled FDG PET/CT patients
- Eat a light high protein/no carbohydrate breakfast no more than 6-hours before your PET/CT exam.
- After this meal, fast from all foods– no gum, mints, candy, etc.
- Drink plain, unflavored water only, until after your PET/CT scan is complete.
All Patients
- Do Take non-diabetic medications as prescribed, with non-flavored water only.
- Check your blood glucose level before the exam, if it is below 70 mg/dL or above 200 mg/dL on the morning of your scan, please call for instructions.
- If you experience symptoms of hypoglycemia, treat low blood glucose as needed and call us at (916) 737-3211 to reschedule your exam.
- Avoid excessively low blood sugar levels.
Post Scan
All patients will be given a goodie bag with snacks after your exam.
Recommended Foods
- Eggs: Hard-boiled, scrambled, or omelets.
- Poultry: Grilled chicken breast or turkey breast. (no breaded or foods).
- Fish: Grilled Salmon, tuna, cod, halibut.
- Lean meats: Grilled or baked Beef, pork tenderloin, veal.
- Seafood: Shrimp, crab, lobster.
- Dairy: Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, Swiss).
- Tofu: Firm tofu can be a good source of protein.
- Nuts and seeds: Almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds.
- Nut butter: Peanut butter, almond butter (check for added sugars).
The above list is called high protein, no carbohydrate diet.
Not Recommended Foods
- Grains: Rice, sticky rice, bread, pasta, oats, quinoa, barley.
- Cereals: Breakfast cereals, granola.
- Starchy Vegetables: Potatoes, corn, peas, pumpkin, butternut squash.
- Legumes: Beans (black beans, kidney beans, chickpeas), lentils.
- Fruits: Bananas, apples, oranges, grapes, berries, mangoes.
- Dairy: Milk, yogurt (regular, flavored), ice cream.
- Sweets and Desserts: Cookies, cakes, pastries, candy, chocolate, sugary beverages.
- Sugars and Sweeteners: White sugar, brown sugar, honey, maple syrup, agave nectar.
- Processed Foods: Snack foods (chips, crackers), packaged snacks, sugary cereals.
The above list is called a high carbohydrate diet.
Locations
Sacramento
Rocklin