Fasting Prior to g68 PSMA Scan

[SoonerMark]

Does anyone know if fasting is requires or beneficial prior to a g68 PSMA scan ? 9fbso, how many hours is recommended ? Thank you for your input.

[Tall_Allen]

It's required before an FDG scan because they want all the glucose out of your system. Not required for PSMA. Follow their instructions. Avoid chinese food, curcumin, and multimineral tablets.

[6357axbz in reply to Tall_Allen]

I had one. No fasting required.

[SoonerMark in reply to Tall_Allen]

Thanks TA, having mine today.

[JamesAtlanta]

These are the actual instructions I received from UCLA Medical Center prior to my scan in March. Hope it helps!:

Test is 10:30am PST – arrive at 10:00am

Be prepared to stay 3 – 3 ½ hours

Prepare for Your Visit

Want an earlier time?

Get on the Wait List

Visit Instructions

If you have any questions,

Westwood (200 Medical Plaza) – [phone]

Santa Monica and Santa Clarita (Radiology Scheduling Office) - [phone]

• NPO (Nothing by mouth) 6 hours prior to the appointment (No gums or mints). Water is ok.

• If you are diabetic, please manage your glucose level as appropriate and NPO and no insulin for 4 hour prior to the appointment. Water is ok.

• Avoid exercise or strenuous activity beginning 24 hours prior to the appointment .

• Studies "With Contrast": Please notify your referring physician if you are taking any Metformin containing medications. You will need to stop taking these medications the day of your appointment and up to 48 hours after the examination.

[lokibear0803]

I’d discussed Ga-68 PSMA scans with both UCLA and Stanford. At UCLA, consistent with @JamesAtlanta, water only is allowed for 6 hours prior. UCLA was going to charge me $3300; this was not part of a clinical trial. Stanford however, as part of an ongoing clinical trial, had no dietary restrictions and zero cost for the same scan. FWIW, Stanford also has a (soon to end, as I understand) trial with the DCFPyL scan, again zero dollars and no dietary restrictions. I’ve also done a PSMA Ga-68 at Stanford back in 2018, with the same protocol. In fact, they paid me $250 for this...then sent me an invoice for several thousand dollars (I forget the exact amount). However, I was able to discuss and resolve with their billing department, so the invoice was zeroed out — some very nice folks, BTW.

[ervins in reply to lokibear0803]

I had a Ga-68 PSMA scan at UCLA in Feb of 2021--not part of a clinical trial--and was charged $3,300. Neither Medicare nor my personal health insurance would cover it. I did not know about Stanford at the time, but wish I had. Now, I must decide whether to submit an appeal--certainly an uphill battle. Curious if anyone else in similar circumstances had any luck with an appeal?

[lokibear0803 in reply to ervins]

The story UCLA gave me was that when (rather than if, I assume) Medicare covers it, I would have been able to submit some kind of request for reimbursement...or that perhaps they would submit on my behalf to Medicare. Then it dawned on me, why not just first search for a clinical trial? Luckily, I found one; you have my sympathies that you had to pay OOP, but hopefully you’ll eventually get it back.

[SoonerMark]

I was able to get the scan done at LIV hospital in Istanbul Turkey for $2,000 USD. They were extremely helpful, sending a car to the airport and providing transportation to and from the hotel. They required a COVID test prior to the scan and specifically told me I could have something to eat and drink while I waited for the results prior to entering the radiology department.

The airfare and cost for Istanbul was about the same as the scan at UCLA or UCSF. But the hotel was less expensive and I was able to see a part ofnthe world I've never been to. So overall I may have saved a little, but when you add in the experience, I've come out far ahead. Will be meeting with the Nuclear Medicine Physician on Friday to go over scan.

[PBnative]

DCFPYL PSMA scan in Annandale , VA .in July. Told to drink 16 oz of water but no fasting . Healthcare Advantage plan paid for scan but not for the 4700 dollar “ dose “ which I hope to get from them thru appeal .