Last Updated on November 27, 2025 by Bilal Hasdemir

Getting ready for a PET scan is more than just showing up. It’s about preparing properly to get accurate results and have a good experience. Wearing the right clothes is an important part of that preparation. Liv Hospital’s expert team highlights the importance of comfort and safety during the scan.

Many patients ask, “Can you wear a bra during a PET scan? The answer depends on the type of bra. It’s best to wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes without metal. Avoid clothing with zippers, snaps, or underwire bras, as metal can interfere with the scan. Women may prefer a soft sports bra for maximum comfort.

By dressing appropriately and following your doctor’s advice, your PET scan will go smoothly and yield more accurate results.

Key Takeaways

• Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing without metal parts for a PET scan.
• Avoid clothing with zippers, snaps, or underwire bras.
• Women are advised to wear a sports bra for comfort and to avoid interference.
• Follow the specific guidelines provided by your healthcare provider or scanning facility.
• Proper preparation ensures a smooth and accurate PET scan experience.

Understanding PET Scans: What They Are and Why They’re Performed

A PET scan, or Positron Emission Tomography scan, is a cutting-edge medical imaging method. It shows how active the body’s cells are. It’s often used to check for cancer.

How PET Scans Work

PET scans use a tiny amount of radioactive tracer injected into the body. This tracer goes to areas with lots of activity, like cancer cells. The PET scan machine picks up the tracer, making detailed images. These images help doctors see what’s happening inside the body.

Common Reasons for PET Scans

PET scans are used for many reasons. They help find cancer, check if treatments are working, and see if cancer has spread. They can also help with some brain and heart issues. For more on getting ready for a PET scan, check out these guidelines.

Importance of Proper Preparation

Getting ready for a PET scan is key for good results. You need to follow certain diet rules, skip some medicines, and wear the right clothes. This makes sure the scan images are clear. Doctors can then make better choices for your care.

Can You Wear a Bra During a PET Scan?

Many patients worry about what to wear for a PET scan, like bras. The answer depends on the bra’s type and materials.

Why Metal Objects Interfere with Imaging

Metal in bras can mess up PET scan images. It can cause distortions or artifacts, leading to wrong results. This is because metal absorbs or blocks the radiation used in scans.

Sports Bras vs. Underwire Bras

Sports bras without metal are okay for PET scans. They’re comfy and don’t mess with the scan. But, underwire bras have metal and should be avoided. They can ruin the scan images.

Type of Bra	Recommended for PET Scan	Reason
Sports Bra without Metal	Yes	Does not interfere with imaging
Underwire Bra	No	Contains metal, may cause artifacts

Alternatives When Your Bra Contains Metal

If your bra has metal, like an underwire, you’ll need to take it off for the scan. You can wear a sports bra or a metal-free bra. Some places might give you a hospital gown instead.

Always listen to your healthcare provider or the PET scan place about what to wear. This helps get the best scan results.

General Clothing Guidelines for PET Scans

Choosing the right clothes for your PET scan can greatly improve your experience. It ensures you’re comfortable and helps get the best scan results. Knowing what to wear ahead of time can save you from any last-minute issues.

Recommended Comfortable, Loose-Fitting Attire

Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing for your PET scan. This kind of clothing makes you feel better and helps get clearer images. Stay away from tight clothes that might be uncomfortable or limit your movement.

Metal Items to Avoid in Clothing

Make sure your clothes don’t have metal parts like zippers, snaps, or buckles. These can mess up the scan images. Choose clothes with little to no metal.

Jewelry and Accessories Considerations

Don’t forget about jewelry and accessories when getting ready for a PET scan. Avoid wearing anything with metal to prevent image problems. If you can, leave these items at home to avoid any issues.

Clothing Item	Recommendation
Shirts/Tops	Loose-fitting, avoid metal zippers or snaps
Pants	Comfortable, elastic waistbands preferred
Jewelry/Accessories	Avoid metal items, leave at home if possible

Hospital Gowns: When and Why They’re Provided

Wearing a hospital gown during a PET scan depends on several factors. Some patients might wear their own clothes, while others must change into a gown. This ensures the imaging process goes smoothly.

Situations Where Changing is Required

Changing into a hospital gown is needed in certain situations. Patients with metal in their clothes, like zippers or underwire bras, must change. This is because metal can interfere with the PET scan. Also, for PET/CT scans, a gown is required to perform both scans without problems.

What to Expect When Changing for Your Scan

Changing into a hospital gown is a simple process. You’ll get a clean gown and go to a private area. It’s important to listen to the medical staff’s instructions to get ready for your scan.

After changing, you’ll need to remove any metal items, like jewelry or glasses. These can also affect the scan. You’ll have a safe place to store these items while you’re scanned.

Personal Items You Can Keep With You

Even though you might need to remove some items, you can keep others with you. You can usually keep your ID, insurance cards, and medical records. It’s a good idea to ask the medical facility beforehand about what you can bring.

Knowing what to expect with hospital gowns and the changing process can help. It makes your PET scan experience smoother and less stressful.

What to Wear for a CT Scan: Similarities and Differences

Getting ready for a CT scan means knowing what to wear. CT scans and PET scans are both used to see inside the body. They have some similar rules for clothes, but there are also differences.

Can You Wear a Bra During a CT Scan?

Many people wonder if they can wear a bra for a CT scan. The answer depends on the bra type. Underwire bras should be avoided because they have metal. Sports bras or bras without metal might be okay, but always ask your doctor first.

Key Considerations:

• Underwire bras may need to be removed due to metal content.
• Sports bras without metal are generally safer to wear.
• Always check with your healthcare provider for specific guidance.

Clothing Requirements Specific to CT Scans

For a CT scan, you should wear loose, comfy clothes. Avoid anything with metal. You might need to change into a hospital gown if your clothes have metal or if needed for the scan.

Tips for CT Scan Clothing:

• Choose loose, comfortable clothing.
• Avoid clothing with metal parts, such as zippers or buttons.
• Be prepared to change into a hospital gown if necessary.

Preparing for Combined PET/CT Scans

For PET/CT scans, you need to prepare for both tests. Follow the diet and fasting rules for the PET scan. Wear clothes without metal for the CT scan. Always follow your doctor’s or the imaging center’s instructions.

Preparation Checklist:

1. Follow dietary restrictions for the PET scan.
2. Wear comfortable, metal-free clothing.
3. Be prepared to change into a hospital gown if required.

Night-Before Preparations for Your PET Scan

To get the most out of your PET scan, start following specific guidelines the night before. Proper preparation can greatly improve the quality of the images and the success of the procedure.

High-Protein, Low-Carb Diet Recommendations

The day before your PET scan, eat a high-protein, low-carb diet. This diet helps the tracer in the PET scan be absorbed correctly by your body. Include protein-rich foods like chicken, fish, and eggs in your meals.

Some examples of suitable foods include:

• Grilled chicken or fish
• Steamed vegetables
• Eggs, either boiled or scrambled
• Low-carb salads with protein

Foods and Beverages to Avoid

It’s important to avoid certain foods and drinks that could affect your PET scan results. Sugary foods and drinks are bad because they can change how your body uses glucose, affecting the tracer uptake.

Some items to avoid include:

• Sugary snacks and desserts
• Fruit juices and sweetened beverages
• High-carb foods like pasta, bread, and sweets

Setting Up Your Schedule for Success

Along with dietary changes, setting up your schedule correctly is key. Make sure to arrive on time for your appointment and have time for any check-in procedures.

Plan to:

• Arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time
• Have all necessary documents and identification ready
• Be prepared to change into a hospital gown if required

By following these guidelines, you can help ensure a smooth PET scan and accurate results.

Fasting Requirements Before a PET Scan

Fasting before a PET scan is key to getting good results. It helps reduce the body’s activity, which can mess with the scan’s clarity.

Standard Fasting Timeframes (4-6 Hours)

Patients usually fast for 4 to 6 hours before a PET scan. They should only drink plain water during this time. This lowers glucose levels, making the scan images better.

It’s vital to follow your healthcare provider’s fasting instructions. These can change based on your health or the scan type.

Exceptions to Fasting Rules

Some people might not follow the usual fasting rules. Diabetics, for example, might need to adjust their fasting to keep their blood sugar right. Always tell your doctor about any health issues or meds that could impact fasting.

It’s also important to talk about staying hydrated during fasting. This is true, even if you’re on certain meds.

Managing Medications During Fasting

Planning your meds during fasting is important. Talk to your doctor about how to take your meds with fasting. Some meds need food, while others can be taken without.

• Tell your doctor about all your meds.
• Ask about timing your meds with fasting.
• Find out if you need to change your medication schedule.

By managing fasting and meds well, you can get accurate PET scan results.

Hydration Guidelines Before Your PET Scan

Drinking enough water is key for a good PET scan. It helps your body work right and makes scan images better.

Water Consumption Recommendations

Drink lots of plain water before your PET scan. It clears out the tracer used in the scan. Drinking water up to your appointment time is okay.

Can You Drink Coffee Before a PET Scan?

It’s best to avoid coffee and other caffeinated drinks before a PET scan. Caffeine can mess with your metabolism and scan results. Don’t have coffee for at least 24 hours before your scan.

Beverages to Strictly Avoid

Also, skip sugary drinks and flavored waters. They can change your blood sugar and mess with the tracer. Stick to plain water to stay hydrated without any scan issues.

By following these hydration tips, your PET scan will go well. And the results will be accurate. Always listen to your healthcare provider’s specific instructions. They might have special needs for you.

Physical Activity Restrictions Before a PET Scan

To get accurate PET scan results, patients need to know about activity limits before the scan. Physical activity can change how the body uses energy, which is key for PET scans.

Why Exercise Should Be Limited for 24 Hours

For at least 24 hours before a PET scan, avoid hard exercise. This rule is because exercise can change how muscles use energy. Strenuous activities can make muscles take up more glucose, which might mess up the scan’s meaning.

Types of Activities to Avoid

Stay away from strenuous exercise and hard physical activities for 24 hours before your PET scan. This means:

• High-intensity workouts
• Running or jogging
• Weightlifting
• Aerobics classes
• Any activity that raises your heart rate a lot

Staying away from these activities helps make sure your PET scan results are not affected by recent exercise.

Acceptable Light Activities

Even though you should avoid hard activities, light physical activities are okay. These can include:

• Short walks
• Light stretching
• Daily activities that don’t use a lot of energy

Always check with your doctor to see what activities are okay before your PET scan.

By following these activity rules, patients can help make sure their PET scan results are as accurate as they can be. This leads to better diagnosis and treatment plans.

Smoking and Nicotine: Impact on PET Scan Results

Smoking and nicotine can change how PET scans work. PET scans look at how cells work in the body. Smoking can make these readings not as clear.

Why Smoking Affects Metabolic Activity

Smoking adds nicotine and other chemicals to the body. These can make cells work harder. This can change how PET scans see the body’s activity.

Nicotine also raises heart rate and blood pressure. This can mess up PET scan images. It might lead to wrong diagnoses or more tests.

Recommended 12-Hour Abstention Period

To get better PET scan results, patients should not smoke for 12 hours before. This lets the body get rid of nicotine. It helps PET scans show the body’s true state.

It’s important to follow this rule. Patients should tell their doctors about smoking or nicotine use. This includes patches, gum, or e-cigarettes.

All Forms of Nicotine Products to Avoid

Not just smoking is a problem before a PET scan. All nicotine products can mess with results. This includes:

• Nicotine patches
• Nicotine gum
• E-cigarettes
• Cigarettes
• Cigars
• Pipes
• Snuff
• Chewing tobacco

Avoiding these for 12 hours helps PET scans be accurate. Talk to your doctor if quitting is hard. They can help find a way to make it work.

Medication Considerations Before Your PET Scan

Before a PET scan, knowing how your meds might affect it is key. Managing your meds is vital for accurate scan results.

Can You Take Tylenol Before a PET Scan?

Usually, you can keep taking your regular meds unless your doctor says not to. Tylenol is often okay unless your doctor tells you not to take it. Always tell your doctor about all meds, including supplements and vitamins, to avoid problems.

Medications That May Interfere with Results

Some meds can change your PET scan results. For example, insulin and some diabetes meds might need to be stopped before the scan. Your doctor will tell you how to handle your meds before the scan.

Communicating Your Medication List to Providers

Tell your doctor about all your meds, including how often you take them. This helps them decide which meds are safe to keep taking and which to adjust. For more info on getting ready for your PET scan, check out this patient education sheet.

By managing your meds and following your doctor’s advice, you can get the most out of your PET scan. This helps your diagnosis and treatment plan.

Conclusion: Ensuring the Best Results from Your PET Scan

Getting ready properly is key for accurate PET scan results. By knowing and following the steps, you can make sure your scan goes well.

There are several things to do before a PET scan. You should pick the right clothes and stick to certain diet rules. Also, managing your meds is important. Don’t wear clothes with metal, like underwire bras, and follow the diet advice for the best scan results.

Following your healthcare team’s instructions is vital. This means fasting as told, avoiding certain drinks, and not being too active before the scan. This helps get the best results from your PET scan.

Getting accurate PET scan results is a team effort. You and your healthcare team need to work together. By following the right steps, you can help make your scan a success.

FAQ

References

• Kapoor, M., et al. (2025). PET scanning. In StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing. Retrieved October 10, 2025, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559089/
• Boellaard, R., et al. (2014). FDG PET/CT: EANM procedure guidelines for tumour PET imaging: version 2.0. European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, 42(2), 328-354. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00259-014-2961-x