DMSA Scan, in Chennai

Fasting and dietary instructions:

No fasting required. Eat and drink normally before the appointment. Stay well hydrated , drink 2 to 3 glasses of water before the draw. Avoid alcohol and vigorous exercise for 12 hours before collection.

Medication guidance:

If you take NSAIDs (ibuprofen, diclofenac) or ACE inhibitors, inform your doctor. These can transiently elevate creatinine and your doctor may advise a brief pause if clinically safe.

What to bring:

Bring your doctor's prescription or test requisition, a valid photo ID, and your corporate health insurance card if using cashless OPD. Wear short sleeves or clothing with sleeves that roll up easily.

Timing:

Book the earliest available morning slot. For fasting tests, an overnight fast followed by a morning draw represents the optimal balance between adequate fasting duration and test accuracy.

Single standalone test:

DMSA Scan. Can be ordered individually or as part of a preventive health package on GetVisit.

When does a doctor order DMSA Scan?

Your doctor may order DMSA Scan based on symptoms you reported, abnormal findings on examination, or as part of a structured annual health check. The specific indication depends on your age, gender, medical history, and current symptoms.

Who should get DMSA Scan done in Chennai?

Chennai's April-to-June heat , regularly reaching 40 to 42°C , creates significant dehydration risk even for indoor workers in OMR and Sholinganallur. The city records high rates of kidney stones and acute kidney stress. Annual kidney function testing is strongly recommended for adults above 30. DMSA Scan is commonly ordered as part of a kidney imaging panel for children or adults with suspected renal damage. Doctors may request it after febrile urinary tract infections, repeated UTIs, flank pain, or abnormal ultrasound results. Adults above 30 in Chennai benefit from periodic health screening that includes DMSA Scan as part of a broader preventive panel. Residents of Guindy, Porur, and across the city with chronic conditions, those on long-term medication, and individuals with a relevant family history should test at the frequency their specialist recommends.

What conditions can DMSA Scan help diagnose?

The conditions diagnosable through DMSA Scan depend on the specific markers the test measures. Results either confirm a suspected diagnosis, support a clinical suspicion requiring further investigation, or effectively exclude the condition the test was screening for.

What do DMSA Scan results mean?

A single elevated creatinine is not always pathological , dehydration or strenuous exercise can temporarily raise it. Your nephrologist will repeat the test in 4 to 12 weeks to confirm whether the finding is persistent. Microalbuminuria (albumin 30–300 mg/day in urine) is the earliest sign of diabetic kidney disease , appearing before creatinine rises.

How often should DMSA Scan be repeated?

For preventive screening with a normal baseline: annually for most adults above 35. For monitoring a known condition: at the interval your specialist recommends , typically every 3 to 6 months for active conditions and annually for stable, well-controlled ones.

What happens after DMSA Scan results are ready?

Once your results appear in your GetVisit profile, discuss them with your doctor or a GetVisit-verified specialist. Your doctor will interpret each value in the context of your full health history, current medications, and symptoms , and advise on the next step: lifestyle change, repeat testing, medication adjustment, or specialist referral. All GetVisit reports are stored permanently and can be shared with any doctor instantly.