Radiology - Bile Acid Absorption Test (SeHCAT)

Please read this leaflet carefully in conjunction with your appointment letter.

Why do I need this test?

Your doctor would like you to come here for a test to find out if you are absorbing bile acids correctly.

Bile acids are naturally produced by the liver. Poor absorption could cause symptoms such as weight change, diarrhoea, bloating and flatulence, some of which you may be suffering from.

You can choose to refuse this test, but we strongly recommend that you discuss this with your doctor before making a decision.

Preparation for your test

• Please confirm your appointment by leaving a message on our 24-hour answer phone 0161 206 4861. Calls will only be returned if this is requested
• Please let us know if you have any other gastroenterological investigations booked in the 7 days before the test takes place as this may affect your appointment date
• If you are taking COLESEVELAM, CHOLESTYRAMINE (QUESTRAN) or COLESTIPOL you must contact the department as this may affect your appointment dates
• You should avoid bowel movements for the first 1.5 hours of the test. If you suffer from diarrhoea and this is likely to cause you a problem, please contact the department before your test date to discuss the options
• Do not take any bowel preparation during the 7 days before the test or during the 7 days of the test
• You may continue taking any other medication as normal, but please bring a list of all your medication with you as you will be asked for this

How is the scan performed?

You will need to attend our department on two occasions, 7 days apart.

Please note it is vital you attend both these appointments otherwise no result is possible.

• The first appointment will last about 2 hours and the second appointment approximately 30 minutes
• After checking your details, you will be asked for a full list of your medication. You will then need to swallow a small capsule, similar in size and shape to common medicine capsules
• The capsule contains a small amount of radioactivity attached to a bile salt and you will be asked to take it with a drink of water
• Then you will have to wait for about 1 hour while the capsule is absorbed by your body. During this time do not eat or drink
• It is important that you try not to open your bowels during this time period
• After about 1 hour you will have a scan of your abdomen. A similar scan will be performed a week later, both scans are needed to give the test result
• Each scan typically takes about 10 minutes and it does not hurt. It is however, important that you keep still. You will usually lie on an imaging table with your arms down by your side, while a special camera, called a gamma camera, performs the scan
• Usually there is no need to undress. You will need to remove jewellery, keys or other metallic objects from your person/pockets
• If you are uncomfortable please tell us and we will try to make you as relaxed as possible
• If possible, refrain from taking any medication to alter your bowel movement during the 7 days of the test, for example Loperamide, Senna or Movicol

Risks and limitations

• If you think you may be pregnant or you are breastfeeding, you must contact us before the test date
• Side effects are unlikely, but rarely allergic type symptoms, such as skin rash, itching, flushing may be experienced. If you develop symptoms after leaving the hospital, attend your nearest accident and emergency department
• You will receive a small radiation dose of about 0.3 mSv, which is similar to that for a hip X-ray. To put this in perspective, the average radiation dose received from natural background radiation in the UK, in one year is just under 3 mSv

After the test

After the scan you may go home or to work and you can eat and drink as normal.

What happens to the results?

A report is sent to the hospital consultant who asked us to do the test. Allow at least 2 weeks for this.

Nuclear medicine staff are not allowed to give patients the result of any tests directly.

Can I bring a friend or relative?

Yes, but they will be asked to remain in the waiting room whilst you are being scanned.

Please, do not bring children or pregnant adults with you as there may be other patients in the department who might expose them to a small but unnecessary amount of radiation.

What if I cannot attend for my appointment?

If you have any questions about your examination or cannot make the appointment, please telephone the helpline on 0161 206 4861. This is a 24 hour answer phone, but it is usually manned Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.00pm.

If you prefer, or are not able to telephone please contact us via email on: Radio.isotopes@nca.nhs.uk

Please include your name, address, date of birth and hospital number (if known) on all correspondence.

Please help us to cut our waiting lists. If you need to cancel or change your appointment then please call us as soon as you can so that we can use it for another patient.

I need an ambulance, how do I arrange this?

If you need an ambulance contact 0161 206 7014 for Salford residents/0800 032 3240 for other areas.

Please inform the Nuclear Medicine department if you are arriving by ambulance.

Interpreters

If you need an interpreter for your examination please call the Nuclear Medicine department so that we can try to arrange this.

Other sources of information

We hope your questions have been answered by this leaflet.

For further information regarding nuclear medicine examinations please visit the British Nuclear Medicine website: http:// bnms.org.uk/page/PatientsCarers

NHS 111 when less urgent than 999.

If you require further information about this test, please contact

Nuclear Medicine, Salford Royal Hospital, Stott Lane, Salford, M6 8HD or telephone 0161 206 4861.